Terrorists in Kwara State have issued a staggering N500 million ransom demand for the release of five construction workers kidnapped two weeks ago. The demand comes as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intensifies its campaign, eliminating several bandits in precision airstrikes across Zamfara State.
Families Plead for Government Intervention in Kwara Kidnapping
The five victims were abducted in a brazen daylight attack on December 15, 2024. The incident occurred at a state government road construction site on the Sabaja/Owa-Onire Road in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Speaking at a press conference in Ilorin on Monday, a representative for the families, Mr. Dare Boyinbogun, revealed the kidnappers' ultimatum. He identified the abducted workers as Ademola Afolabi, Abdullahi Lade, Emmanuel Okuwadare Kayode, Fatai Akin, and their driver, Yusuf.
"These men were not criminals. They were professionals and labourers contributing to the development of the country," Boyinbogun stated, describing the anguish of their families. He expressed frustration that the bandits have refused to negotiate further with the community, insisting that only the state government is an acceptable party for talks.
The families allege that efforts to get the Kwara State Government, through the Ministry of Works, to engage with the abductors have been unsuccessful. "The government seems not to be serious about it," Boyinbogun claimed, prompting their public appeal for urgent action.
NAF Executes Decisive Airstrikes on Bandit Strongholds in Zamfara
In a separate but related development, the Nigerian Air Force has reported significant successes against terrorist networks in the northwest. On December 28, 2024, NAF aircraft conducted two high-precision Air Interdiction missions in Zamfara State.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the first strike targeted Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp in the Tsafe local government area. Intelligence identified this location as a major hub for manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and planning attacks.
The second precision strike was directed at Turba Hill, another confirmed bandit hideout in Tsafe. Surveillance had revealed significant human activity and a key operational structure at the site.
Ejodame confirmed that post-strike assessments showed the targeted structures were destroyed and several bandits were neutralized. He emphasized that these operations have severely degraded the bandits' capabilities, particularly their capacity to produce and deploy IEDs.
A Nation Grappling with Dual Security Fronts
The contrasting events in Kwara and Zamfara highlight the multifaceted security challenges facing Nigeria. While communities in Kwara plead for government negotiation to secure the release of hostages, the military is simultaneously engaged in kinetic operations to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the northwest.
The Kwara families have acknowledged the efforts of the police and other security agencies but stressed that "time is not on our side." Their situation underscores the complex dilemma of ransom demands, which authorities officially oppose but families often feel compelled to consider.
Meanwhile, the NAF's continued aerial campaigns represent a critical component of the military's strategy to disrupt and destroy bandit enclaves, aiming to restore security to troubled regions.
