Baba-Ahmed Reveals N175m Kidnap Ordeal

Former presidential aide Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has disclosed that his family spent nearly N175 million to secure the release of his nephew and three other victims who were kidnapped last year.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed recounted the difficult experience, revealing that the victims were abducted and held in a forest a few kilometres from their community for 37 days. Despite serving as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice-President at the time, he said his access to senior government officials did not lead to a swift rescue.

According to Baba-Ahmed, he pursued every available option while working in Aso Villa, including sharing information about the kidnappers’ location with relevant authorities. However, those efforts produced little progress.

“Last year, my nephew was k+dnapped alongside three people. They were taken a few kilometres into the bush and spent 37 days there,” he said.

“At the time, I was working in Aso Villa. There was hardly anybody I didn’t speak to. We gave them the coordinates, which were easy to get.”

He explained that the kidnappers initially demanded N25 million, three motorcycles, medicines, drugs, rice and other supplies before negotiations began. The demands, he noted, continued throughout the period of captivity.

“The first time, they asked for N25 million, three motorcycles, a lot of dr¥gs, a lot of medications, rice, and all sorts of things,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed stated that by the time the victims regained their freedom, the family had spent close to N175 million in total.

“All in all, between the first day they were k+dnapped and when they were released, we spent close to N175 million,” he added.

The revelation has drawn attention to the persistent kidnapping crisis in parts of Nigeria and the heavy financial and emotional pressure many families face while trying to secure the release of loved ones. The incident also underscores the wider security challenges confronting communities across the country.

What more should be done to reduce kidnapping and improve public safety across Nigeria?