Terrorists holding NYSC graduate Abba Gwadabe demand three motorcycles after his family paid 10 million Naira ransom.
In a heartbreaking twist, terrorists in Nigeria’s northwest have refused to free Abba, a young graduate despite his family scraping together a massive ransom.
Abba Gwadabe, who recently completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, fell into their clutches on 9 January 2026 while travelling from Zamfara to Sokoto.
What began as a routine journey turned into a nightmare when the group ambushed the vehicle, snatching Abba along with two others, Yasmeen and Maryam.
At first, the terrorists set an exorbitant demand of 50 million Naira for Abba’s release.
However, after negotiations, they lowered it to 20 million, and eventually to 10 million Naira.
Friends and family rallied, with Abba’s classmate Bello Nasir Mohammed, known on X as @gwaska_dsd, leading a crowdfunding effort.
Abba, a self-reliant tailor who supported himself through his small business, became a symbol of the everyday Nigerians caught in this escalating crisis.
Yet, even after the family delivered the 10 million Naira in cash, the terrorists shifted the goalposts.
Abba’s aunt bravely carried the money into the forest on a motorcycle, meeting the group at a remote spot.
She spoke briefly to Abba on the phone, where he asked about his mother’s health – she had been hospitalised from the stress.
But as she waited by the roadside for his release, the call came: they wanted three brand-new motorcycles on top of the cash.
The family, exhausted and hopeful for a reduction in this new demand, returned home empty-handed.
Meanwhile, similar ordeals plague others in the region.
Maryam, abducted alongside Abba, saw her family pay the ransom only for the terrorists to insist on an extra three million Naira.
In a rare glimmer of hope, another victim, Kasimu Wali, regained his freedom after over six months in captivity.
These cases highlight a disturbing pattern where terrorists blend cash demands with practical items like motorcycles, which boost their mobility in the rugged terrain.
This surge in abductions reflects the broader security woes in northwest Nigeria, where terrorists have kidnapped thousands in recent years.
Communities like Kuriga have suffered repeated attacks, with locals like Chief Jibril Gwadabe recounting personal brushes with danger.
Without stronger government intervention, families continue to bear the brunt, often turning to public pleas and fundraisers amid economic hardship.
As Abba’s brother confirmed the latest demands in a phone call, the family clings to faith.
“Allahumma ajirni fee musibati wa akfilnee khairan minha,” they pray – seeking refuge in calamity and a better replacement.
For now, Abba’s fate hangs in the balance, a stark reminder of the human cost in this unrelenting conflict.
