The kidnappers responsible for the abduction of 26 women from the Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, have released a troubling video featuring two of their captives. In the footage, the women plead with their families to meet the kidnappers’ demands for their release.
In the 30-second video, one of the women, who is tied to a tree, makes an emotional appeal in Hausa for her family to provide the requested items, including 130 motorcycles. She specifically urges a relative named Abdulrahman to assist in fulfilling the demands.
The woman, who appears distressed and injured, begs for help, stating, “Umar, please talk to Abdulrahman. They have brought me to a service area now. They said they cannot release me until the items they demanded are delivered. They said I should talk so that you will hear my voice. I have injuries on my legs. For the sake of Allah and His Prophet, help bring the items. They said if you bring the items, they will release me along with Hajiya. I am here with Hajiya.”
Abba Usman, a local resident, confirmed to Daily Trust that the women in the video are part of the group kidnapped in February of this year. He reported that the families of the two women have already provided six motorcycles, but the kidnappers are now demanding an additional four before releasing the captives.
Usman also noted that the families of the remaining 24 women have informed the bandits that they cannot afford the additional motorcycles. The kidnappers are demanding five motorcycles for each of the 26 women, each valued at ₦2 million.
“My mother and my sister were among those abducted seven months ago on the Allawa-Pandogari Road. On that day, eight men were killed before the women were taken. The bandits have requested five motorcycles for each of the 26 women. We have been unable to raise the funds, which is why they remain in captivity,” Usman explained.
He added that the families are now struggling to find additional resources to meet the bandits’ demands. “Recently, the bandits sent a video showing two of the women. Although the families provided six motorcycles, the bandits have now increased their demand by four more motorcycles. We are at a loss as to how we will come up with the money needed to secure their release,” Usman said.
