Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
A family in north-central Nigeria has issued an urgent public appeal for financial assistance following the abduction of Mallam Waheed Shittu, who was reportedly kidnapped along Eruku Road in Kwara State while travelling with a friend.
According to relatives, the incident occurred on Sunday, February 22, when armed men intercepted the vehicle conveying Shittu and his companion. While details surrounding the attack remain limited, family sources say his whereabouts have been unknown since the abduction, and communication from the kidnappers has heightened fears for his safety.
Stone Reporters note that the abductors have reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦20 million for his release. The family said the kidnappers issued threats to harm him if payment is not made before sunset on an unspecified deadline, intensifying anxiety among relatives and community members.
Mallam Waheed Shittu is described by his family as a responsible husband and father of five children. His sudden disappearance has reportedly plunged the household into emotional and psychological distress, with relatives expressing fear that time may be running out.
The family stated that the demanded amount is far beyond their financial capacity. In an emotional appeal directed to the public, they called on well-meaning Nigerians to assist in raising funds to meet the ransom demand, emphasising that no contribution would be considered too small.
Particular emphasis was placed on reaching out to residents of Yagba East Local Government Area in neighbouring Kogi State, where the family is believed to have strong community ties. Relatives said they are relying on collective support from friends, associates, and the broader public to secure his safe return.
Stone Reporters note that kidnapping for ransom has become a persistent security challenge across several parts of Nigeria, including Kwara and adjoining states. Criminal groups often target travellers on inter-community roads, exploiting limited security presence and isolated terrain.
Security analysts caution that public fundraising efforts in kidnapping situations reflect the growing economic burden such crimes place on ordinary families. Many households confronted with ransom demands struggle to mobilise funds within short timeframes, leading to appeals that underscore the urgency and desperation surrounding such cases.
The family has also appealed for prayers and moral support during what they described as one of the darkest periods in their lives. They expressed hope that combined community solidarity and swift intervention could help secure Shittu’s release without harm.
Authorities have not released an official statement detailing ongoing rescue efforts, though local security agencies are understood to have been notified. Investigations into the abduction are expected to focus on tracking communication channels used by the kidnappers and identifying possible forest routes within the region.
Stone Reporters note that community-based appeals for ransom assistance often reflect broader insecurity trends affecting rural mobility and livelihoods. Experts continue to call for strengthened highway patrols, improved intelligence coordination, and socioeconomic interventions to address the drivers of kidnapping networks.
As the family awaits further contact from the abductors, uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on relatives and community members hoping for a safe resolution.
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