In a chilling reminder of the growing menace of kidnapping in Nigeria, two residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Danladi Bako and Nasiru Yusuf, were tragically murdered by their captors after a delay in paying the demanded ransom. The gruesome incident, which unfolded in Gwargwada village, Kuje Area Council, has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious concerns about the escalating risks of abduction in the FCT.
Bako, a youth leader with the Labour Party in the Gwargwada Ward, and his companion Yusuf were abducted alongside a herder and a woman at Gwombe junction, along the Gwargwada-Rubochi road, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Sources close to the victims revealed that they were returning from Rubochi, a nearby village, when the kidnappers ambushed their vehicle.
While details surrounding the abduction are still being pieced together, it is reported that the kidnappers made swift contact with the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of N500,000 per person for their release. However, the families found themselves in a desperate financial situation and could only raise a sum of N500,000 — half of the amount required.
Shuaibu Abdullahi, a relative of the deceased, recounted the family’s harrowing ordeal during a phone interview with Daily Trust on Sunday. “When the kidnappers’ leader called on Friday, we told him that we had only managed to raise N500,000 for the ransom, not knowing that our loved ones had already been killed by the kidnappers,” Abdullahi said, his voice filled with grief. He further revealed that the kidnappers had already executed the two victims by the time the families made the payment.
The kidnappers, however, did not release their grip on the situation. After receiving N3 million as ransom from the families, they released the herder and the woman. Both were reportedly unharmed, but their release did little to alleviate the pain of losing two members of the community.
A deeply concerned Ugbada Alhaji Hussaini Agabi Mam, the traditional ruler of Gwargwada, confirmed the tragedy and lamented the senseless killings. “The two young men were killed by their abductors simply because of the delay in paying the ransom they demanded,” the monarch said.
Further investigation revealed that the kidnappers had taken the victims to Kotonkarfe forest, located in Kogi State, where they reportedly disposed of their bodies. Despite efforts by local authorities to retrieve the bodies, including mobilizing hunters and vigilantes to scour the forest, the remains of Bako and Yusuf have yet to be recovered. According to the traditional ruler, the chairman of Kotonkarfe had sent out a search party to locate the bodies, but as of the latest updates, they have not been found.
The incident has sparked renewed concern about the rising wave of kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory and neighboring states. Gwargwada, a rural village nestled in Kuje Area Council, is not usually associated with violent crimes of this nature. However, as the reach of criminal syndicates expands across the country, even remote areas are becoming prime targets for abductions for ransom.
In an exclusive interview with a security expert, retired Police Commissioner, Alhaji Bello Musa, he decried the lack of effective countermeasures against the increasing wave of abductions. “This tragic incident is a clear example of the vulnerability of rural communities to the rising threat of kidnappers. There is a pressing need for a coordinated approach between the police, local governments, and vigilante groups to tackle this menace,” he emphasized.
Musa also criticized the delay in the response of security agencies, which he claimed could have made a difference in saving the victims’ lives. “When these kidnappers make a demand, they know the police are often slow to react. It’s important for the government to put more resources into intelligence-gathering and swift intervention.”
This abduction and subsequent murders have once again highlighted the perilous situation faced by many Nigerians who live in areas where kidnappers have free rein to carry out their activities without fear of retribution. Communities like Gwargwada, which are already grappling with limited resources and infrastructure, are now facing the added threat of criminal groups demanding huge sums of money for the safe return of their loved ones.
The fear of kidnappings has led to increased tension in rural areas, with many residents now living in constant anxiety. “We live in fear every day now. Who will be next?” said Abubakar, a local shopkeeper in Gwargwada. His comment reflects a growing sentiment in many FCT villages, where every journey, even short ones, is becoming a potential nightmare.
There have been calls for greater awareness and more robust security measures, such as the establishment of security posts in strategic areas, surveillance equipment, and stronger collaboration with community leaders.
Community leaders like Alhaji Hussaini Agabi Mam have been vocal about the need for the government to prioritize rural security and develop programs to mitigate the risks of kidnapping. “We need more protection, more police presence, and more education for our people on how to deal with these criminals. The lives of our people are at stake,” he said.
In the wake of these tragic killings, many are left grappling with the harsh realities of kidnapping in Nigeria. The families of the two victims, still in shock from the brutal loss of their loved ones, now face the painful task of coming to terms with their grief. Despite their sorrow, the calls for justice and action against the perpetrators of such heinous crimes grow louder with each passing day.
As the search for the bodies continues and the authorities intensify their efforts to apprehend the kidnappers, many are left wondering what more can be done to protect innocent lives from the growing threat of abduction and murder.
The Gwargwada killings serve as a grim reminder of the consequences of delayed ransom payments and the tragic toll that Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis is taking on its citizens. In the fight against this menace, the question remains: how many more lives must be lost before the government takes decisive action?
