The Al-Kadiriyah family of Okekere area of Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday called for concerted efforts towards securing the release of victims of kidnapping across the country.

The family, while celebrating the release of their daughters by their abductors, urged Nigerian leaders and citizens not to abandon those still in captivity to their fate.

Five of the six Al-Kadriyar sisters, who were abducted from the Bwari area of Abuja in early January, have regained their freedom.

Also, another kidnap victim, Suleiman Sabo, yesterday at about 1130am was rescued from kidnappers in Sauka, along Airport Road, Abuja.

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police command’s anti-kidnapping squad, in a concerted effort with troops of the Nigerian Army, rescued the kidnap victims of Zuma 1 area in the Bwari Area Council, who were kidnapped on the 2nd of January 2024.

Confirming the report, the FCT police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said the operatives successfully rescued the victims around Kajuru forest in Kaduna State at about 11:30 pm on Saturday.

In a statement it issued yesterday, the family through Al-Kadiriyah Sherifdeen, said: “During this time of celebration, let us not forget those who are still facing similar hardships and continue to pray for their safe return. It is our duty as a community to support and uplift one another during times of adversity.”

Sherifdeen called for prayers for the repose of the souls of those who had died in the kidnappers’ den.

He expressed gratitude to the security forces, authorities, and all those who worked tirelessly towards the safe rescue of the daughters.

Also yesterday, the national president of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumini AbdulMalik, again reiterated the need for the government at all levels to ensure adequate security of lives and property of the citizenry as he welcomed the release of the AlKadiriyah’s siblings.

He thanked the governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, a former minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Issa Ali Patanmi as well as the generality of the people of Ilorin Emirate, in particular, for the support and prayers extended to the Al-Kadiriyah family during the period he described as “very emotional and challenging.”

LEADERSHIP recalls that the sisters were abducted alongside their dad and some residents of the community. Their father was immediately released and ordered to pay about N60 million ransom for the children.

One of the sisters, Nabeeha, was later killed by the abductors for non-prompt payment of the ransom.

Meanwhile, during the rescue operation, a suspect, Muhammad Abel, 32, from Kogi State was apprehended and one LAR rifle with ten (10) rounds of live ammunition recovered from him.

Earlier yesterday, there were also reports that seven residents abducted from Sagwari Estate in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were released.

They were abducted days ago when gunmen raided the estate around 8 pm

Some of the victims, Talatu Salihu, a 500-level student of Library and Information Science, Bayero University Kano (BUK); a staff member of a hotel in the state, Akpagher Joseph Terzungwe and 13-year-old Mitchell Ariyo were later killed.