N80m ransom: Family sends SOS to President, IGP

The family of the abducted Divisional Police Officer, DPO of Birnin Gwari, Sani Gyadi-Gyadi, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and Inspector-General of Police Alkali Baba to rescue the police officer before the abductors kill him.

DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Gyadi-Gyadi, a chief superintendent of police, was abducted by the bandits in June on his way to his new duty post in the bandit-infested Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following a transfer from Pambegua Division.

The abductors of the Divisional Police Officer for Birnin-Gwari have given his family until Wed to pay N80m or be killed. The DPO was abducted in June & the abductors had extorted N7m from the family but refused to free him. The family is now begging Buhari & the IGP to save him.

— Bulama Bukarti (@bulamabukarti) September 4, 2022

Speaking with our correspondent at the weekend, a member of the family Adamu Karkasara, said the bandits had threatened to kill the DPO if they failed to pay an N80 million ransom by Wednesday.

He said the terrorists had initially demanded N250 million but reduced it to N80 million after negotiations and pleas. He added that the family was only able to raise N7 million, which the bandit collected and refused to released the victim.

“It’s been 68 days since the incident happened. We have made several efforts to secure his release, but unfortunately there hasn’t been any breakthrough.

“When they kidnapped him, they requested a N250 million naira ransom, which they later reduced to N150 million, and now 80 million naira non-negotiable.

“Through the intervention of relatives and some friends, we were able to raise N7million. We took the money to them, but they collected the money, they said it was for feeding, so we should go and complete the balance.

“Unfortunately, he has found himself in this situation, and I can’t remember any efforts made by the police on this matter.

“Our brother who was living with him in Kaduna has been running from pillar to post to meet with all concerned authorities, but nothing positive has happened.

“We have visited the commissioner of police’s office more than three times, yet nothing tangible has come out,” he said.

The family, therefore, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to intervene and ensure the safe release of their breadwinner.

“Our brother is in a very terrible situation. The bandits called us yesterday, and we pleaded with them again to please pity us, but they threatened to kill him. They said we have been deceiving them with failed promises.

“Now they have given us the grace of Wednesday and have threatened to kill him if we didn’t meet their demand before the day,” he said in an emotional-laden voice.

When DAILY NIGERIAN contacted the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, for a response on the matter, he referred our correspondent to the spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige.

Mr Jalinge, a deputy superintendent of police, told our correspondent that the command was not resting on its oars to rescue the DPO.

“Operationally, the command is on top of the situation, and be rest assured that we will be successful. There will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

When reminded that the bandits have threatened to kill the DPO by Wednesday, Mr Jalinge further expressed optimism that something positive would happen soon.

Source: DAILY NIGERIAN