Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry Crucifies Parents
By Mike Odeh James
(Kaduna) November 9, 2024, is a day forever etched in Ruth Hussein’s memory. As she recounts the events of that fateful night to TruthNigeria, how Fulde-speaking terrorists murdered her 9-year-old daughter. The kidnappers are suspected to be members of the 10-million strong Fulani tribe, one of Nigeria’s largest.
Ruth Hussein, her husband, Sunday Danlami Hussein, and their five children resided in the tranquil Oil Village settlement, located within Chikun County approximately 2.2 miles from the city center. Ruth told TruthNigeria in an exclusive chat her ordeal.
“It was around 11 pm. My husband and I were asleep when he heard suspicious noises in our house. He suspected Fulani terrorists and quickly woke me up, telling me to get the children and hide.”
“We hastily gathered our kids and hid in a secure location, switching off the lights. From our hiding spot, we watched as the terrorists searched room by room, fortunately missing us.”
“After two hours, the terrorists left. When we emerged, we realized that our 9-year-old daughter, Joechebed (“JO-jeh Bed”), was nowhere to be found. Initially, we couldn’t accept that the terrorists had taken her.”
“However, the harsh reality set in on Monday morning when the terrorists called. They handed the phone to Joechebed, and she pleaded with her father, ‘Daddy, come and get me.’ Her father reassured her, ‘I will come and get you.’ Joechebed’s response was heart-wrenching: ‘I trust you, Daddy, that you will come and get me.'”
The Demands
Sunday Danlami Hussein, the hostage’s father, recounted the kidnappers’ demands and the horrific treatment of his daughter.
“They initially demanded a ransom of approximately $260,870,” he explained. “We begged them to spare our daughter, but they continued to torture her, beating her up. Anytime they called us, they would flog her, and she would cry out on the phone.”
The family’s ordeal lasted from November 9 to December 3. After negotiations, the ransom was reduced to approximately $21,739. However, the kidnappers also demanded additional items:
– 2 iPhone 16 phones
– 2 Infinix phones, priced at approximately $0.80 each
– 3 bags of rice
– 1 bag of corn
– 2 sets of milk
-2 motor bikes
50 kg of marijuana.
Commissioner For Security Spurns Appeal For Help
Desperate to rescue his daughter from Fulani terrorists, Hussein reached out to the commissioner for internal security, hoping for a lifeline. He called the commissioner, but his calls went unanswered. Undeterred, Hussein sent a text message, pleading for help. The response was underwhelming: a mere “noted.”
The military’s response was equally disappointing. When the terrorists attacked Hussein’s home in November, he called the Nigerian Army for help. They arrived, but only after the terrorists had fled. The soldiers took notes, asked questions, and then left, leaving Hussein’s family with no further support or updates.
Fulani Kidnappers Kill 9-Year-Old Joechebed
Hussein recalled the terrifying call from the terrorists on November 10. “I heard my daughter crying, saying she had been shot by the terrorists,” he said. “The terrorists claimed it was an accident and that the injury was not fatal. They pressed me to hurry up with the payment.”
After receiving $32,609 worth of ransom in cash and kind, Hussein thought his nightmare was almost over. However, the terrorists had another cruel twist in store. They abducted the man who had delivered the ransom, a friend who had kindly offered to help.
The terrorists then made a shocking demand: they wanted the exact same items and cash, approximately $32,609, which Hussein had already paid. This time, they threatened to harm both his daughter and his abducted friend unless their demands were met.
The terrorists instructed Hussein to travel to Kachia County, approximately 81 miles south of Kaduna, and then proceed to Abrum village, where the exchange would take place. They also requested that Hussein arrange for someone to carry his wounded daughter, as she was unable to walk.
Terrorists Collect Money After Killing Jeochebed
The terrorists made a promise: no more abductions or harm if we paid the second ransom. They assured us my daughter, Jeochebed, was alive but sick, Hussein recalled.
“They promised not to abduct or harm anyone again if we could come up with the second ransom money,” Hussein said. “They also assured us that my daughter was alive but sick.”
On December 15, we managed to gather the demanded ransom. Trusting their assurances, a native of Kachia delivered the cash to Kabodi, a village near Abrum. However, only the abducted man was released; Jeochebed was not.
The released man delivered devastating news: Jeochebed had succumbed to the gunshot wound inflicted by the Fulani terrorists. “My friend who was released told us that Jeochebed was killed as a result of the gunshot she sustained from the Fulani terrorists,” Hussein said.
“She died on December 9, 2024, but the terrorists decided not to inform us, instead choosing to collect the ransom,” Hussein concluded.
Mike Odeh James is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
