‘They Killed My Child After Refusing To Pay Ransom’ – Oyo Seriki Fulani

The Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Yaqub Bello, has narrated how armed kidnappers abducted his child, demanded 80 million naira ransom and eventually killed the victim.

Naija News reports that Bello made the revelation in a viral video, where he spoke emotionally about his personal experience with kidnapping.

He linked his ordeal to the broader insecurity in the country, including the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Bello said his child was held in captivity for more than two months during the period widely referred to as the “No Cash” era.

“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.

According to him, the kidnappers demanded ₦80 million ransom, which he said he could not pay.

“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,” he said.

The Oyo Fulani leader said he had yet to recover the remains of his child.

“Up till now, I have not seen the corpse of my child,” he added.

His account comes amid concerns over alleged stigma and ethnic profiling against Fulani residents in the state following recent abductions.

Some residents have accused Fulani leaders of failing to take action against criminal elements within their community, while some Fulani residents have complained of increasing suspicion and profiling.

Police Deny Pupil’s Death Report

Bello’s comments also came amid the ongoing concern over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA.

Last week, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed reports claiming that one of the abducted pupils had died in captivity.

The command described the report as false, malicious and capable of spreading panic.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said no security agency involved in the rescue operation had confirmed the death of any abducted pupil.

“The Oyo State Police Command has observed with grave concern the circulation of a malicious and entirely unfounded report alleging that one of the schoolchildren abducted during the recent incident at Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, has died while in captivity,” the statement read.