Suspected bandits have killed an Abuja-based businessman, Muhammad Shuaibu, and his 19-year-old daughter, Fatima, despite the payment of a N12 million ransom demanded for their release.
Fatima, until her death, was a student of the University of Abuja, while her father traded at the Dei-Dei Modern Market in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Shuaibu was abducted alongside his two daughters from their residence in Zhidu community under Tafa Local Government Area on October 3, 2025, after armed men reportedly invaded their home.
A family member, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the attackers took the victims into the bush after rounding up members of the household.
According to the source, the kidnappers demanded ransom in installments, which the family paid in three tranches—N6 million, N4 million, and a final N2 million—bringing the total to N12 million.
The source revealed that Fatima had been killed about three months earlier during negotiations, with the abductors allegedly accusing her of being “stubborn.”
He further explained that after the final payment was made, the kidnappers asked the bearer of the ransom to return, claiming that the businessman had died in captivity after falling seriously ill.
The family member disclosed that in a desperate bid to raise the ransom, the family sold the deceased’s shop at Dei-Dei Modern Market, his private vehicle, and a sachet water production machine.
“The bandits even asked us to sell his house, but there was no buyer,” the source added.
The incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity and the rising cases of kidnapping for ransom in parts of the country.