Five out of the six sisters from the Al-Kadriyar family, who were recently kidnapped by bandits in the Bwari area of Abuja, have been released.
The news was disclosed by a tweep identified as Uncle, Kabiru Aminu, who shared a video on his social media handle showing the jubilant sisters and their relatives.
As of the time of this report, it is not independently verified whether the girls were rescued by security operatives or released after the family paid ransom.
In a tweet, Aminu stated, “#Najeebahandhersisters are home right now, someone please wake me up!” He also added, “#Najeebahandhersisters. These girls are strong.”
The six sisters, including their father, were abducted on January 9, and the gunmen later released their father, demanding a ransom of N60 million for the release of the daughters.
To raise funds, Nigerians were urged to donate to a bank account, but the amount gathered was insufficient.
Unhappy with the development, the gunmen reportedly killed the eldest of the sisters, Najeebah, and left her body for her parents to bury.
The abduction of the Al-Kadriyar sisters sparked a national outcry and raised concerns about insecurity in Abuja. Kidnapping for ransom has been a significant issue in Nigeria, with criminal gangs targeting various locations, including highways, apartments, and schools.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the recent spate of kidnappings and bandit attacks, prompting discussions on the government’s strategy to address the growing security challenges in the country’s capital.
However, as of the time of filing this report, the police are yet to release a statement.