Former Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice-President, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has revealed that his nephew and three others spent 37 days in kidnappers’ custody despite his position within the presidency at the time.
Baba-Ahmed disclosed that his family spent nearly N175 million to secure the victims’ release after exploring several channels to facilitate their rescue.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, he said the victims were abducted last year and taken a few kilometres into a forest, where they remained in captivity for over a month.
He said the incident occurred while he was working in Aso Villa and that he reached out to relevant authorities in an attempt to secure their freedom.
“Last year, my nephew was kidnapped alongside three people. They were taken a few kilometres into the bush and spent 37 days there,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“At the time, I was working in Aso Villa. There was hardly anybody I didn’t speak to. We gave them the coordinates, which were easy to get.”
According to him, the kidnappers initially demanded N25 million, three motorcycles, drugs, medications, rice and other supplies before negotiations progressed.
“The first time, they asked for N25 million, three motorcycles, a lot of drugs, a lot of medications, rice, and all sorts of things,” he added.
Baba-Ahmed explained that the demands continued throughout the negotiation process, eventually costing the family close to N175 million before the victims were released.
“All in all, between the first day they were kidnapped and when they were released, we spent close to N175 million,” he said.