15-year-old Katsina boy killed after family paid ₦70m ransom

The family of 15-year-old Umar Sa’adu Moba in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State has narrated how suspected terrorists killed him despite receiving a ₦70 million ransom.

According to SaharaReporters, Umar was abducted alongside three other young men after leaving home, with the kidnappers initially demanding ₦200 million, five motorcycles and 10 mobile phones.

His uncle, Alhaji Sanusi Moba, said negotiations reduced the demand and the family eventually paid ₦70 million.

“Yes, that money was paid,” he said.

Moba said complications arose while the family was attempting to deliver the ransom, after residents of a nearby village became suspicious and confronted them.

He said the abductors later claimed Umar had been handed over, but conflicting accounts followed.

“Eventually, a disagreement arose between them, and they killed him themselves,” he said.

Moba added: “After the disagreement, they killed the boy.”

The family appealed to government to strengthen security and protect abducted citizens from being killed despite ransom payments.