Pantami did not mention his friend’s name but said the bank account details of the kidnapped girls’ father had been sent to the donor.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has revealed that a friend of his offered to pay N50 million ransom to kidnappers for the release of five sisters taken captive in Abuja.
Six sisters were kidnapped in their house in Abuja on January 2, 2024. The eldest Nabeeha was killed after their family failed to raise N60 million ransom which the kidnappers initially asked for.
In his announcement on social media, Pantami did not mention his friend’s name but said the bank account details of the kidnapped girls’ father had been sent to the donor.
He wrote, “I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals. However, since it became clear, that we lost our daughter Nabeeha yesterday, and the five remaining daughters have been threatened, as I spoke with the father on the matter yesterday and today.
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“Furthermore, I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining 50 million Naira of the 60m immediately.
“I conveyed the account number of the father of our daughters, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, to the friend and brother to send the money directly. Any additional amount earlier generated from yesterday, the father can use to treat the daughters and other family members in sha Allah.”
Asked why security operatives were not using the NIN-SIM, a policy introduced by Pantami during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, to track the kidnappers, the former minister wrote, “NIN-SIM policy has been working. However, the relevant institutions fighting criminality are to be requested to ensure they utilise it effectively when a crime is committed. Lack of utilising it is the main problem, not the policy. While in office, I know 3 instances where the policy was utilised, and it led to the success of their operations.
“On the lack of utilisation, I am more worried than anyone, as my life was threatened by criminals for reintroducing it, including on BBC Hausa & and national dailies, I resisted and ensured its implementation.”
