Despite Working in Aso Villa, my nephew spent 37 days with k!dnappers in 2026. I gave authorities their location but they didn’t act. I Spent N175m — Ex-Presidential Aide

Former Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice-President, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has recounted how his family spent nearly N175 million to secure the release of his nephew and three others who were k+dnapped last year despite his access to top government officials.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed said the victims were abd¥cted and taken a few kilometres into a forest, where they remained in captivity for 37 days.

According to him, he explored every possible avenue to secure their rescue while serving in Aso Villa, but those efforts yielded little result.

“Last year, my nephew was k+dnapped alongside three people. They were taken a few kilometres into the bush and spent 37 days there,” he said.

“At the time, I was working in Aso Villa. There was hardly anybody I didn’t speak to. We gave them the coordinates, which were easy to get.”

Baba-Ahmed disclosed that the k+dnappers initially demanded N25 million, three motorcycles, large quantities of drugs and medications, rice and other supplies before negotiations began.

“The first time, they asked for N25 million, three motorcycles, a lot of dr¥gs, a lot of medications, rice, and all sorts of things,” he said.

He revealed that by the time the victims were eventually released, his family had spent close to N175 million meeting the k+dnappers’ demands and securing their freedom.

“All in all, between the first day they were k+dnapped and when they were released, we spent close to N175 million,” he added.