Taura Umarc

Update on Abba, the NYSC corps member who was abducted. His friend, @gwaska_dsd cashed the money that was gotten and delivered the ransom money to his family yesterday morning. The family communicated with the bandits, who said they were busy and would call later that night to provide the location, time, and instructions for receiving the money. Unfortunately, they didn’t call early. Later, they sent a voice note reassuring the family that they would keep their promise and release him as soon as they received the money. They also warned the family to keep their own promise and not make any changes. Today, the family travelled to a nearby village and stayed there to be closer to the bandits’ area, since network coverage is very poor there , it’s hard to reach them, and they usually have to initiate contact. Whenever they can’t get through, they send voice notes on WhatsApp. Abba’s aunt was the one who took the money to the bandits’ location. She hired a motorcycle (okada) from the roadside. The rider took her directly to where the bandits were. Upon arrival, she realised she hadn’t brought money to pay the bike man. One of the bandits asked if she had paid him; when she said no, he reached into the ransom, removed a bundle, and handed it to the rider. After the exchange, they told her to go and wait by the roadside, saying Abba would be brought there. She left immediately. On their way out, the bike man drove at a very high speed. He explained that if he didn’t speed away quickly, the bandits might change their minds and take both of them. He added that they could even kill them and nothing would happen. The bike man further revealed that that particular roadside is a common spot where people are kidnapped. He said he was present when Abba was abducted and that such incidents happen frequently in the area. He told Abba’s aunt that his job, and that of other bikers there, is to carry people bringing ransom money into the forest to meet the kidnappers. The aunt did not get to see Abba in person; they only spoke briefly on the phone. He even asked about his mother’s health, as she has been admitted to the hospital. She said the person she spoke to was well dressed, you’d know he doesn’t stay there in the forest just by seeing him. After waiting for some time, the bandits called her again and instructed her to board a vehicle and go home. They said they would not release Abba until three additional motorcycles were added to the ransom. She has now returned home. The family is hoping the abductors will call back and reduce the demand for the extra motorcycles. Please note: Abba’s family is not soliciting any further donations. This update is shared so the general public can understand the current situation and what the family is going through.

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