Tragedy has struck an Igala-Abuja business family as bandits brutally murdered a prominent trader, Muhammad Shuaibu, and his 19-year-old daughter, Fatima, even after collecting a total ransom of N12 million from their devastated relatives.
Fatima, a student of the University of Abuja, was reportedly killed months before the final ransom payment, in what sources described as a cruel and senseless act by her captors. Her father, Shuaibu, a well-known trader at Dei-Dei Modern Market in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was later confirmed dead in captivity under unclear circumstances.
The victims were abducted on October 3, 2025, when heavily armed men stormed their residence in Zhidu community, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State. Eyewitness accounts reveal that the assailants rounded up members of the household before whisking Shuaibu and his two daughters into the bush.
According to a family source, the kidnappers demanded ransom in installments, forcing the family into a desperate and financially crippling negotiation. Payments were made in three tranches—N6 million, N4 million, and a final N2 million—amounting to N12 million.
In a heartbreaking twist, the abductors allegedly killed Fatima during the negotiation period, accusing her of being “stubborn.” The family, however, was kept in the dark and continued to raise funds in hopes of securing their loved ones’ release.
After the final payment, the kidnappers reportedly instructed the ransom bearer to leave, claiming that Shuaibu had died after falling critically ill in captivity. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, further deepening the grief and confusion of the bereaved family.
To meet the kidnappers’ demands, the family was forced to sell Shuaibu’s shop at Dei-Dei Modern Market, his personal vehicle, and even a sachet water production machine. They reportedly considered selling his house but could not find a buyer in time.
