In a damning reflection of Nigeria’s systemic insecurity, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the former Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice-President, has revealed that his family had to cough up nearly ₦175 million to rescue his kidnapped nephew and three others.
The security breach occurred last year while Baba-Ahmed was actively serving as a top aide in the Presidential Villa.
He stated that despite utilising his high-level political network and handing precise tracking coordinates to security agencies, state authorities failed to launch a rescue operation.
High-level access yielded no results
Speaking during a candid interview on Trust TV, the veteran political analyst explained how his proximity to power proved completely ineffective in the face of the country’s booming kidnapping industry.
The victims were abducted and marched just a few kilometres into a nearby forest, where they were held under brutal conditions for 37 days.
Baba-Ahmed recounted his frustration at trying to move the machinery of state to save his family members:
“Last year, my nephew was kidnapped alongside three people. They were taken a few kilometres into the bush and spent 37 days there. At the time, I was working in the Aso Villa. There was hardly anybody I didn’t speak to. We gave them the coordinates, which were easy to get.”
Despite providing actionable intelligence, security agencies failed to act, forcing the family to engage directly with the armed bandits.
Details of the substantial ransom demands
The kidnappers initially demanded a mix of cash, logistics, and provisions before formal ransom negotiations even commenced. According to Baba-Ahmed, the initial demands included:
₦25 million in cash, three operational motorcycles, large stockpiles of pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies and bags of rice and sundry food provisions.
As negotiations dragged on over five weeks, the financial demands escalated significantly. By the time the four captives were finally released into safety, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that the family had drained close to ₦175 million to satisfy the varying demands of the cartel.
The grim reality of Nigeria’s security crisis
Baba-Ahmed’s startling revelation underscores a terrifying reality for everyday citizens: if an influential presidential aide with direct access to Nigeria’s top security chiefs cannot secure a state-backed rescue operation, ordinary Nigerians stand little chance.
The disclosure highlights the entrenched nature of the kidnapping crisis across the country and the staggering, multi-million naira financial burdens forcing families to sell off assets to buy back the lives of their loved ones.
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