Family of the Emir of Bungudu, in Maru Local Government Council of Zamfara State, His Royal Highness, Hassan Attahiru who was kidnapped by bandits on September 14 on Abuja – Kaduna highway have lamented that the Emir was held back despite payment of N20 million ransom.
Bandits initially demanded for N100 million which after negotiation, it was reduced to N20 million and the money was immediately mobilised and paid, according to the family.
The family said that, the Emir who was abducted with several others was still in captivity because the informant told bandits that the Emir’s family have capacity to pay the initial N100 million so the monarch shouldn’t be released yet.
A prominent member of the Emir’s family who pleaded anonymity said “the monarch would have long been released if not for the informant who is relating with bandits on the issue.”
“The informant has been revealing our secret, how we raise fund, all our moves and so on”, which according to him, bandits later changed their mind after collecting the N20 million ransom.
The family suspected that the informant is from their place who knows and relates with bandits moves by the family to rescue the monarch.
“We were surprised when bandits told the family on phone that they had information that the Emir’s family and subjects could raise the N100 million or any amount.
“Surprisingly, bandits told us how we raised the first N20 million, who and who brought the money and the amount before it got to N20 million, so, it’s a big challenge”, he maintained.
It is recalled that some people were killed including the Police orderly of the monarch before he was abducted alongside others.
As at the time of filing the report, bandits have insisted on payment of N100 million ransom.
