Kano textile traders kidnapped on their way to Aba in Abia state and later released after payment of ransom have described their experience in the hands of the kidnappers as traumatic
In an exclusive interview with ait.live the traders say they were kidnapped along Okene-Auchi road in Kogi state where they were held for six days inside the forest.
10th January 2021, began like any other day for Abubakar Hamza and Abba Ibrahim, both textile traders at the Kwari market in Kano, but little did they know it will turn out to be a day they will never forget
They had began their journey from Kano to buy textile in Aba in the South East of the country.
While commuting through the north central state of Kogi, the journey took a tragic turn as they were accosted by gunmen along Lokoja-Okene road, a notorious spot for kidnappings
Speaking in their native Hausa language, Abubakar and Abba say their vehicle was intercepted around 2am by the kidnappers who had mounted road blocks.
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They were subsequently marched into the forest with guns pointed at them, as they began a three hour trek
The kidnappers eventually made a demand of 150 miillion naira ransom which was later negotiated down to
25 million naira.
Abba Hamza, who delivered the ransom to the kidnappers says he was given a stern warning not to inform the police. The kidnappers also demanded a 20,000 worth of mobile recharge card
Chairman of Kwari Market, Sagir Sherrif says the development will affect interstate trading as the people are now scared to travel
The textile traders want government’s assistance to enable them recoup their losses
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
