Prof. Isa Pantami, a former minister of communications and digital economy, has given an explanation of why he supported the payment of ransom to free the five sisters who were kidnapped in Abuja by gunmen.
In recent days, there has been outcry over the kidnapping of six sisters and their father in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the murder of one of them.
On Sunday, January 14, however, the former minister Pantami revealed via a tweet on his X profile that his friend—whose name was withheld—offered to provide N50 million toward their release.
Even though he opposes paying ransom to criminals, he clarified, he has no choice but to demand the money after the kidnappers murdered one of the sisters.
After Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) and National Identification Numbers (NINs) were synchronized in 2022, Pantami accused security authorities of neglecting to monitor calls and other digital traces of abductors.
He said:
“Alhamdu lil Laah! I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals.
“However, since it becomes clear, we lost our daughter Nabeeha yesterday, and the 5 remaining daughters have been threatened, as I spoke with the father on the matter yesterday and today.
“Furthermore, I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining 50 million Naira of the 60m immediately.
“I conveyed the account number of the father of our daughters, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, to the friend and brother to send the money directly. Any additional amount earlier generated from yesterday, the father can use to treat the daughters and other family members in sha Allah.
“May the Almighty Allah reward the bother and friend with Jannatul Firdaus for the donation. May He also reward all those who contributed in any way with Jannatul Firdaus, too.
“May He also forgive Nabeeha and rescue her sisters. May the Almighty also help our security agencies to bring an end to these challenges. May Nigeria be a better place for all of us. I love Nigeria. #Najeebahandhersisters”