Kidnappers in Kaduna have issued an exorbitant ransom demand for the release of 16 abducted residents from Gonin-Gora community. Following the attack on February 28th, where gunmen abducted the individuals, community leaders revealed that the ransom request includes an astonishing N40 trillion, along with 11 Hilux vans, and 150 motorcycles.
This demand has sparked outrage and disbelief within the community, particularly considering it exceeds the entire national budget for the year 2024. The incident adds to the growing concern over the security situation in Kaduna, as it comes shortly after the abduction of 287 schoolchildren from Kuriga.
John Yusuf, one of the community leaders, expressed the impossibility of meeting such a demand, emphasizing the sheer magnitude of the requested sum. He stated, “Where are we going to get this kind of money? Even if we sell the entire community, we cannot raise N40 trillion. Even Nigeria as a country has never made a budget of N40 trillion.”
The staggering ransom demand highlights the urgent need for improved security measures and decisive action to address the escalating kidnapping crisis in the region.
