Abuja braces for anti-kidnapping protest as grief grips Middle-Belt

Abuja braces for anti-kidnapping protest as grief grips Middle-Belt

Tensions rise in Abuja on Wednesday as the Middle-Belt Youth Forum plans a protest against the increasing kidnappings affecting the region and other parts of Nigeria.

The protest, sparked by recent tragic incidents, including the loss of a university student, highlights mounting frustration due to what many perceive as government inaction.

The planned march to the Attorney-General’s office demands a strong response against kidnappers and bandits, advocating for their official recognition as terrorists. This plea resonates with Nigerians deeply affected by ongoing abductions and violence.

Nineteen residents remain captive, including nine whose release hinges on a staggering N700 million ransom. Four hostages, including a promising student, have been tragically murdered, allegedly due to delays in ransom payment. 

Grief deepens in the region with the story of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level biological science student at Ahmadu Bello University, abducted with six siblings.

Five sisters, including another high-achieving student, Nadherah, are still captive after their father’s release. Escalating ransom demands, starting at N60 million and now doubled, add to the family’s distressing situation.

Folashade Ariyo’s family shares a similar plight. Her mother and three siblings face an uncertain fate alongside the Dutse-Alhaji captives, their lives hanging in the balance. The cold-blooded killing of Folashade, only 13 years old, has ignited nationwide outrage, fueling the protest’s momentum.