The Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Yaqub Bello, has broken his silence on the killing of his child by armed kidnappers who demanded ₦80 million ransom during the country’s “No Cash” period. In an emotional video posted on Sunday, Bello said his children were abducted and held for more than two months before the captors killed one of them after he failed to raise the money.
“I, who am speaking to you, have personally experienced the pain of kidnapping. They kidnapped my children and demanded money. I told them I didn’t have money, and they held my children for more than two months,” he said. He explained that the abductors insisted on ₦80 million at a time cash scarcity made ransom negotiations difficult for families.
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“It was during the ‘No Cash’ period, and they demanded a ransom of ₦80 million. They held my child captive for more than two months. I refused to pay, and in the end, they killed my child,” Bello said. He added that he has still not recovered the remains of his child. “Up till now, I have not seen the corpse of my child,” he added.
Bello linked his personal ordeal to the broader insecurity in Oyo State, including the recent abduction of school children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. He noted that Fulani residents in the state have faced increasing stigma and ethnic profiling since the attacks, with some accusing community leaders of failing to act against criminal elements.
His account comes as the Oyo State Police Command continues rescue efforts for pupils and teachers kidnapped during attacks on three schools in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire. Last week, police dismissed reports that one of the abducted schoolchildren had died in captivity, describing the claim as false and designed to spread panic. Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ayanlade Olayinka said no security agency involved in the operation had confirmed the death of any abducted pupil.
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