Barely 48 hours after the report of Hanifa Abubakar, who was kidnapped and later killed by her teacher in Kano, went viral across the country, residents of Zaria, in Kaduna State, were also thrown into mourning over the murder of an eight-year-old Asma’u, who was allegedly kidnapped and later killed by her neighbour.
Her abductors reportedly killed her after collecting over N3m ransom in Zaria 42 days after she was kidnapped.
She was allegedly kidnapped by one of her neighbours on December 9, 2021.
Her father, Alhaji Shuaibu Wa’alamu, narrated how she was abducted to newsmen in Zaria.
He said: “My daughter was abducted on the 9th of December and when she failed to return home, I lodged a formal complaint with the police.
“After some days, the abductors began to call my number and demanded for N15m. But we negotiated and I first gave them N2m.
“They collected the money in Rigasa area of Kaduna. Later, they called me again and demanded for another N1. 045m as the only condition to release my daughter. I did not argue. But I gave the money to them.
“However, after paying the ransom as demanded on the 19th of January, they called me to tell me they had killed my daughter. And they immediately switched off their phone.
“You see since from the initial stage, I was following her abductors and doing their bidding because of the fear of losing my daughter. Now, they have killed her.
“I know those who abducted her and killed her. They are around us. I have strong evidence. I have told the police. And they are on it. In fact, the suspects have been arrested.”
Kaduna Police Command confirmed the incident.
The Command’s spokesman, ASP Muhammed Jalige, said investigations were ongoing on the incident.
But Jalige could not immediately confirm the arrest of the suspect.
He said: “What I can tell you right now is that investigation are ongoing. I have to get across to our men in Zaria, then details of the incident will be released later.”
