In a shocking incident that has left residents of the Federal Capital Territory and Niger State in mourning, bandits have killed prominent Igala-Abuja businessman Muhammad Shuaibu and his 19-year-old daughter, Fatima, even after the family paid the full N12 million ransom demanded by the abductors.
Fatima, until her death, was a student at the University of Abuja. Her father was a well-known trader at the Dei-Dei Modern Market in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.
The businessman was abducted on October 3, 2025, alongside his two daughters from their family home in Zhidu community, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State. Armed men had stormed the residence at night, rounding up members of the household before marching Shuaibu and the two girls into the bush.
A family member, who spoke to ReportNaija on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers later contacted the family and demanded ransom in instalments. The family, in a desperate bid to secure their loved ones’ release, paid N6 million, followed by N4 million, and a final N2 million – bringing the total to N12 million.
“Everything was paid as they demanded,” the source said.
Tragically, the bandits had already killed Fatima about three months earlier, accusing the young student of being “stubborn” even while negotiations were still ongoing.
After the family delivered the last N2 million tranche, the abductors told the person who brought the money to go back home. They claimed the businessman had fallen seriously ill in captivity and later died.
To raise the huge ransom, the family was forced to sell Shuaibu’s shop at Dei-Dei Modern Market, his private car, and a sachet water production machine. The source added that the bandits even instructed them to sell the family house, but there was no buyer at the time.
The double tragedy has sparked fresh concerns over the rising wave of banditry and kidnapping in communities bordering the FCT and Niger State, with many residents calling for stronger security presence in the area.
ReportNaija extends heartfelt condolences to the Shuaibu family and the entire Igala community in Abuja.