Abducted FCT school principal and his daughter regain freedom after ₦3.1 m ransom payment
A frightening ordeal ended in relief for the principal of Junior Secondary School, Naharati in the Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory and his daughter after they were abducted from their residence and later freed following a ransom payment.
The principal, Zakari Abdulkadir Yelwa, his daughter Hafsat Dauda and his wife were taken by gunmen one night. His wife was released shortly afterwards after she could not keep up with the abductors’ pace. The principal and his daughter were held captive for several days in extremely harsh conditions while the family negotiated for their release. According to his account, once they were seized, he and his daughter trekked through forest terrain throughout the night until reaching the kidnappers’ forest camp near the border of Toto Local Government Area in Nasarawa State and Kogi State. He described the experience as “hell” and said they were fed only garri and yam found near the camp.
During negotiations, a ransom of ₦3.1 million was paid along with two cartons of malt drink, one carton of milk, bread, and some cigarettes. After the payment, the kidnappers released them on a Saturday evening at about 6:45 pm.
The principal thanked his colleagues, friends and the vigilantes who responded swiftly during the attack and appealed to everyone to remain vigilant. He also expressed gratitude for his and his daughter’s safe return and shared his wish that no other person should experience such trauma.
