Family members of kidnap victims now have to add bags of rice and condiments to the huge sums of money paid as ransom to kidnappers.
This is what residents of rural communities in Kuje, Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have witnessed following sustained attacks by armed kidnappers, who have abducted over 30 people in the last three months and collected ransom running into millions of naira.
Some residents of Kiyi and Anguwar Hausawa community in Kuje and Abaji area councils revealed to the press that the kidnappers of their loved ones told them to bring along bags of rice, noodles, spaghetti and cartons of seasoning cubes along with the ransom.
It was also gathered that family members of the eight people who were kidnapped alongside a Pastor of the RCCG, in Kiyi had to purchase the foodstuff and condiments for the kidnappers.
A relative of a kidnap victim in Kiyi village, simply identified as Joshua, said he was forced to purchase two bags of rice, one carton of Maggi seasoning cubes and a carton of Indomie noodles which were taken along with N1.5 million to the kidnappers before the victim was released.
“Other family members did the same thing before their kidnapped relatives were released,” he said.
He added: “If you fail to buy those things and take only the cash to them, they will collect it and still hold the victim until you get the foodstuff for them.”
Mr. Isaac Jonathan, another relative of a kidnapped victim, told our reporter that he was also forced to buy two of bags of rice, seasoning cubes, cartons of spaghetti, roll of cigarettes and some wines for the abductors of his cousin along Shenegu village in Gwagwalada Area Council, before he regained his freedom.
