A female resident, Mistura Olasinde, and her two daughters, Hauwa and Fatima, were kidnapped on Friday, September 8, 2023, from Starwood Estate in Galadimawa, the Federal Capital Territory.

Mistura’s husband, Surajudeen Olasinde, an employee of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, revealed that the abduction took place at Kabusa Garden Estate while his wife and children were driving their Toyota Highlander from Garki to their residence in Starwood Estate, situated between Galadimawa and Lokokogoma areas of Abuja.

The incident occurred around 7 pm when the family reached a poorly maintained stretch of road in Kabusa Garden Estate.

Kidnappers emerged from nearby bushes, brandishing firearms and firing shots to intimidate bystanders before forcibly taking the victims into the forest.

Residents promptly alerted the Galadimawa Divisional Police Officer, Jerry Cole, who led a team of police officers and vigilante operatives in a search effort in the vicinity.

ALSO READ: Abuja faces power outage amid labor strike by electricity workers

However, their search did not yield success.

Mr. Olasinde, who was in Kwara State at the time of the incident due to a transfer, disclosed that the kidnappers demanded a ₦100 million ransom, which was subsequently reduced to ₦50 million and then ₦10 million.

Ultimately, the kidnappers inquired about the family’s available funds.

When it became clear that they did not possess a substantial sum, the kidnappers asked about the Toyota Highlander involved in the abduction.

It was revealed that the vehicle had been sold to raise funds for the ransom.

The family managed to collect ₦2.84 million, and the kidnappers directed them to deliver it on Saturday night.

After delivering the ransom to a remote location, Mr. Olasinde and his brother-in-law waited for about 40 minutes before Mistura Olasinde and her daughters were released.

They were transported home by an Okada (commercial motorcyclist) rider.

The family members, who sustained injuries during their ordeal, are currently undergoing medical treatment and receiving care for the psychological trauma they experienced.

Residents of Starwood Estate have expressed concern about the recurring kidnappings in the area and have called on President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to enhance security measures in the region.

Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Galadimawa Divisional Police Officer were unsuccessful.

The FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, stated that the command had not been briefed on the situation but promised to provide an update once informed.