6th September, 2022
Terrorists posing as bandits have threatened to kill DPO Sani Muhammad Gyadi-Gyadi of Birnin-Gwari Divisional Headquarters in Kaduna State if a ransom of N80 million is not paid on Wednesday, September 7, 2022.
This new development surfaced on Twitter when an investigative journalist with the handle @truthfully83 called the attention of Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations officer, Abuja Headquarters.
The tweet reads; “Here is Sani Gyadi-Gyadi, the DPO of Birnin-Gwari Divisional @PoliceNG headquarters in Kaduna State. He was kidnapped in June 2022 and has been in the hands of his abductors. They threatened to kill him on the 7th of Sep if 80 million naira ransom is not paid. @Princemoye1”.
Gyadi-Gyadi was kidnapped in June while travelling to his new duty station in Kaduna State’s bandit-infested Birnin Gwari Local Government Area after being transferred from Pambegua Division.
So far, the victim has paid N7 million and a new motorcycle as a ransom for his release, but his abductors in a new twist, are demanding an additional N80 million on or before September 7.
Speaking with BBC Hausa, Gyadi-Gyadi’s family said the officer is in dire condition despite the ransom they paid.
A relative, Musa Gyadi-Gyadi told the BBC that the initial demand from his captors was N250 million, which was more than they could afford, so they gave what they had.
“It’s been 68 days since the incident happened. We have made several efforts to secure his release, but unfortunately, there hasn’t been any breakthrough.
“When they kidnapped him, they requested a N250 million ransom, which they later reduced to N150 million and now N80 million non-negotiable” he added.
Musa explained that an initial N5 million was sent to the bandits, but they said the money was for food and demanded the sum of N1million for recharge cards and motorcycles.