Bandits assassinated Muhammad Shuaibu, a businessman in Abuja, and his 19-year-old daughter, Fatima Muhammad, in spite of the N12 million ransom demanded.
Along with his daughter, Fatima Muhammad, who attended the University of Abuja until her death, Muhammad Shuaibu, a trader at the Dei-Dei Modern Market in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, was kidnapped.
On October 3, 2025, Shuaibu and his two children were allegedly abducted from their home in Zhidu community, which is part of Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State, after armed men broke in.
The businessman and his kids were first taken into the jungle by the kidnappers after they rounded up household members, according to a family member who wished to remain anonymous.
He added that the family paid the ransom in three installments—N6 million, N4 million, and a final N2 million, for a total of N12 million—after the kidnappers demanded payment in installments.
“The kidnappers had earlier killed Fatima about three months ago, accusing her of being stubborn, even as negotiations for ransom were ongoing,” he stated.
The family member further stated that the kidnappers ordered the ransom bearer to return after the final N2 million payment, stating that the businessman had passed away in captivity due to a major illness.
He clarified that in order to acquire money for the ransom, the deceased’s car, shop at Dei-Dei Modern Market, and sachet water production machine had to be sold by the family.
According to him, the bandits even requested that they sell Muhammad Shuaibu’s home, but they were disappointed that no one was interested.
The State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, was not available to remark on the event.
