A 19-year-old Nigerian student, Anas Zubairu, has been murdered by suspected kidnappers in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, despite his family paying a ransom of N17 million for his release.
Zubairu, a student at a Moroccan university, was home for the holidays and visiting his family in the Project Quarters area when he was abducted last Friday evening around 6 pm.
According to reports, the young man had just parked his car and was securing the gate when the assailants, who had been hiding nearby, shot him in the left shoulder before taking him to an undisclosed location.
A close relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the kidnappers contacted the family five days after the abduction, demanding a ransom of N30 million. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to N17 million, which the family managed to raise and pay.
Despite paying the ransom, the family received the devastating news two days later that Zubairu had been killed. The kidnappers ceased all communication after the ransom was paid and later informed the family of his death early on Sunday morning.
Anas Zubairu’s aunt, Halima Jabiru, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Nasarawa State, confirmed that the family had paid the ransom, only to have their worst fears realized when they learned of his murder.
When contacted for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer for Nasarawa State, DSP Ramhan Nansel, stated that the command was not aware of the incident.
