Bandits free man after family pays N30m ransom, weeks after killing his wife in captivity
Yakubu Dada, a retired civil servant abducted along Kontagora Road in Niger State on October 31, 2024, has been released by bandits following the payment of a total of N30 million ransom by his family.
Dada was kidnapped alongside his youngest wife, Lami, who was tragically killed in captivity in early May by the kidnappers to increase pressure on the family.
According to DailyTrust, the captors initially collected N10 million in November 2024.
Despite this, they later demanded an additional N20 million and four Bajaj motorcycles, threatening to execute Dada if their demands were not met.
His family managed to meet the financial demands, and he was freed on Monday, June 2, 2025.
He was reportedly abandoned by the criminals near Kotonkoro in Mariga Local Government Area.
Dada’s eldest wife, Maimuna, confirmed his release and recounted how the family had to sell virtually all their possessions, including their home, vehicles, and household items, to raise the first ransom.
The second payment was said to have been delivered by Dada’s younger brother deep in a forest in Kebbi State.
The ordeal has left the family devastated and financially ruined.
