Bandits threaten to marry off abductee's daughter over refusal to pay ransom

Bandits who abducted pastor Isa Andrew, the Chaplain of the All Saints Police Protestant Church, Mopol 42 Mobile, alongside his 13-year-old daughter, have threatened to marry off the daughter over refusal to pay the N6 million being demanded as ransom.

The two were kidnapped from their home in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, on July 14, 2024, and have been detained for about four weeks.

Pastor Andrew pleaded with Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, and other well-meaning Nigerians to step in and assist in securing their freedom by caving in to the terrorists' demands in a video that has since gone viral.

However, the abductors have issued an ultimatum, demanding that the N6 million, together with two boxer motorcycles and one Honda motorcycle, be delivered between this Saturday and Thursday.

They threatened to marry off his young daughter if he didn't agree to their demands. 

Pastor Andrew said that his family had previously raised and paid N6 million in ransom by selling all they owned and obtaining assistance from caring persons.

Despite the payment, the kidnappers have demanded an extra ransom and motorcycles before they will release the chaplain and his daughter.

He also said that his daughter had been mistreated during their detention, emphasizing his need for immediate assistance.

The pastor, who has diabetes, voiced fear that his protracted stay in the terrorists' nest is increasing his health problems.

According to the pastor, the abductors initially demanded N60 million, but his wife successfully negotiated it down to N6 million.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of 17 persons, comprising two police officers and fifteen others in the attack by armed bandits at Ayati Community, Ukum local government area of Benue State.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Catherine Anene disclosed this in a statement on Friday,

She explained that, “On the 08/08/2024 at about 1630hrs while normal daily activities where going on in Ayati village, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state, a large number of armed bandits invaded the village and started shooting sporadically at members of the community.”

Anene added that Police officers within the community responded immediately and were able to repel the bandits.

She said that, 15 people who already sustained gunshot injuries from the attack were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.

The Benue police spokesperson said the unfortunate incident also claimed the lives of two police officers who were among the team that responded to the distress call.

“Corpses have been deposited at General Hospital Ukum and investigation is ongoing,” the police said in the statement.