Suspected bandits have killed an Abuja-based businessman, Muhammad Shuaibu, and his 19-year-old daughter, Fatima, despite collecting a total ransom of N12 million from their family.
Fatima was a student of the University of Abuja, while her father was a trader at the Dei-Dei Modern Market in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
The victims were abducted on October 3, 2025, when armed men attacked their home in the Zhidu community of Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State.
A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the attackers stormed the residence at night, gathered members of the household, and took Shuaibu along with his two daughters into the bush.
According to the source, the kidnappers later established contact with the family and demanded ransom in stages. The family initially paid N6 million, followed by another N4 million, and eventually an additional N2 million—bringing the total payment to N12 million.
Despite the payments, the abductors reportedly killed Fatima about three months ago, accusing her of being “stubborn.”
The source further disclosed that after the final ransom was delivered, the kidnappers instructed the courier to leave, claiming that Shuaibu had died in captivity after falling seriously ill.
In a desperate effort to secure the victims’ release, the family sold most of the businessman’s belongings, including his shop at Dei-Dei market, his car, and his sachet water production machine.
“The bandits even asked us to sell his house, but there was no buyer,” the source added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Niger State Police Command had not issued an official response. Calls and messages sent to its spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, were not answered.
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