SOKAPU Reveals how Kidnap Victims Pay Herdsmen Over N2bn Ransom Yearly

SOKAPU Reveals how Kidnap Victims Pay Herdsmen Over N2bn Ransom Yearly

  • Southern Kaduna Peoples Union says kidnappers were paid at least N2bn as a ransom for the release of their victims in Southern Kaduna
  • Luka Binniyat, the spokesperson of SOKAPU made the disclosure in an interview, saying 108 communities are occupied by herdsmen
  • Binniyat decried the worsening insecurity in the southern part of Kaduna state, saying the attackers are getting bolder

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FCT, Abuja - In the past year at least the sum of N2 billion has been paid as ransom to kidnappers by families and friends in Southern Kaduna for the release of victims held in the captivity of armed herdsmen.

The revelation was made by Luka Binniyat, the spokesperson of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) during an interview with The Punch.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State
Over N2bn has been paid as ransom to kidnappers by families and friends of victims in Southern Kaduna. Photo credit: @nasirelrufai
Source: Facebook

The SOKAPU spokesperson also expressed concern that the deteriorating security situation in southern Kaduna had not improved as the attackers are getting bolder and are closing in on Kaduna city.

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According to Binniyat, Kakau ward, a semi-urban settlement in the Chikun local government area was invaded by armed herdsmen for three consecutive days.

Two people were killed and 61 persons abducted before the rampaging herdsmen collected ransom.

While about 108 communities are under the occupation of herdsmen in Southern Kaduna, Binniyat added that fleeing natives have abandoned hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmlands.

Senate proposes 15-year jail term for Nigerians paying ransom

Earlier, a bill that seeks to prohibit the payment and receipt of ransom for the release of any person kidnapped or wrongfully confined was on Wednesday, May 19, considered at the Senate.

The bill proposes 15 years imprisonment for Nigerians who pay ransom to kidnappers and kidnappers who receive ransom.

The bill officially named Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2021, is sponsored by Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi.

Don't pay my abductors any ransom - El-Rufai’s wife

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Panic as kidnappers dislodged from city centre take over Imo state communities

Meanwhile, the wife of the governor of Kaduna state, Hajia Asia El-Rufai on Wednesday, June 9, stated that if she is kidnapped no ransom should be paid to her abductors.

Mrs. El-Rufai made the disclosure while addressing participants of a peace and security training, organized for women by Equal Access International (EAI) as the guest of honor in Kaduna state.

The governor’s wife noted that Nigerians must make sacrifices to bring an end to banditry and kidnapping.

Source: Legit.ng

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