Chiemelie Ezeobi
Three days after two-year-old Fareeda Abiose was kidnapped alongside her late mum’s pregnant friend, her abductors finally released her into the waiting arms of her father.
The kidnapped toddler was abducted after her mother, Aisha Alli-Balogun Abiose, a budding broadcaster was shot by the same gang of armed robbers at the Ajegunle area of Ikorodu over the weekend.
The kidnappers were said to have initially requested for N10million as ransom from the bereaved family.
Although it was yet to be ascertained the amount the family finally paid as ransom, it was gathered that the father after negotiating for ransom with the kidnappers, was told where to come pick the toddler.
The kidnappers were said to have contacted the toddler’s father and told him where to pick up his daughter, but later used another method.
A source who refused to be named disclosed that the victims were freed around 8p.m. on Monday, adding that the pregnant woman was handed the money for their taxi after they were dropped off by their kidnappers.
The pregnant mother was said to have gotten a taxi, which took them to the toddler’s father’s house.
The source said: “The kidnappers gave them money for cab and the pregnant lady got a cab with little Fareeda to her father’s house around 8p.m. Only the pregnant lady can give full information and I don’t know her.
“The family does not want to speak with anyone because they are unhappy nothing was done before now by all institutions contacted. Why now? This shows how messy the government is and how they failed the entire nation.
“The only thing you can help us with is passing the message to show how the government and police failed us by not showing concern.
‘There was not even a single call. What if the father couldn’t raise the money? The girl’s father said the government and the police failed them.
“He complained that not even a phone call was put across to the family from either the police or the state government. They didn’t show any concern.
“As it is now, the father doesn’t want the police to start worrying him on how and where they picked the daughter.”
