- The youths are urging a crackdown on kidnappers and bandits and also want the Nigerian government to designate them as terrorists.
- Meanwhile, nineteen residents remain captive, including nine whose release hinges on a staggering N700 million ransom.
Today, the Middle-Belt Youth Forum is organising large-scale demonstrations against the worrying increase in kidnappings that is affecting the capital of Nigeria.
The youth-led protest is anticipated to end at the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, spurred by recent events, notably the horrific killings of several abductees.
The youths want the Nigerian government to label kidnappers and bandits as terrorists in addition to calling for a crackdown on them.
Nine of the inhabitants, whose release depends on a whooping N700 million ransom, are among the nineteen still in captivity.
Four hostages—including a bright young student—have already been brutally killed; the reason given is that the money was delayed.
They include Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level biological science student at Ahmadu Bello University, snatched alongside six siblings.
Her five sisters, including another high-achieving student, Nadherah, remain in captivity after their father’s release.
The kidnappers’ escalating ransom demands were initially set at N60 million and now doubled.
Folashade Ariyo’s family endures similar anguish. Her mother and three siblings are still with the kidnappers.
Folashade, only 13 years old, was killed by the kidnappers, igniting nationwide outrage.