A tragic incident has emerged from Nigeria’s capital region, where an Abuja-based businessman, Muhammad Shuaibu, and his 19-year-old daughter, Fatima, were killed by kidnappers despite the family paying a total ransom of ₦12 million for their freedom.
Fatima, a student at the University of Abuja, was reportedly murdered while still in captivity. Her father, on the other hand, is said to have died later after falling seriously ill while being held by the abductors.
The ordeal began on October 3, 2025, when gunmen stormed the family’s residence in Zhidu community, located in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.
During the attack, the assailants reportedly gathered members of the household before taking Shuaibu and his two daughters into the bush.
A relative of the victims, who spoke anonymously, disclosed that the kidnappers demanded ransom in stages.
The family complied, paying ₦6 million initially, followed by ₦4 million, and finally ₦2 million—bringing the total to ₦12 million.
Despite fulfilling these demands, the victims were never released.
The Final Payment
According to the source, Fatima had already been killed about three months prior to the final payment. The kidnappers allegedly accused her of being “stubborn” during ongoing negotiations.
“Fatima was killed while we were still trying to secure their release,” the family member revealed.
After the last installment was delivered, the kidnappers reportedly informed the ransom courier to return home, claiming that Shuaibu had also died in captivity after becoming critically ill.
The devastating outcome has left the family not only grieving but financially ruined.
In their desperate attempt to secure the victims’ release, they sold off major assets, including Shuaibu’s shop at Dei-Dei Modern Market, his personal vehicle, and a sachet water production machine.
The abductors had reportedly gone as far as demanding the sale of the family house, but no buyer could be found.
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The incident underscores the deepening insecurity crisis in parts of the country, where even compliance with ransom demands no longer guarantees the safety of victims.