This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68047140

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Bwari kidnapping: Nigeria police secure release of sisters taken from Abuja Bwari kidnapping: Nigeria police secure release of sisters taken from Abuja
(25 days later)
Nabeeha, pictured second from left, was killed by the kidnappersNabeeha, pictured second from left, was killed by the kidnappers
Nabeeha, pictured second from left, was killed by the kidnappers
Nigerian police say they have successfully rescued five sisters who were held hostage after being kidnapped in the country's capital.Nigerian police say they have successfully rescued five sisters who were held hostage after being kidnapped in the country's capital.
The girls were freed in a joint police-army operation in a forest in northern Nigeria on Saturday night.The girls were freed in a joint police-army operation in a forest in northern Nigeria on Saturday night.
They were taken from their home in Abuja earlier this month, along with another sister who was later killed.They were taken from their home in Abuja earlier this month, along with another sister who was later killed.
The kidnappers had demanded a ransom for their release, but the statement made no mention of one being paid.The kidnappers had demanded a ransom for their release, but the statement made no mention of one being paid.
Nigerian police said the girls had been reunited with their family following the operation, which took place near the Kajuru forest in Kaduna State at around 23:30 local time (22:30 GMT) on Saturday.Nigerian police said the girls had been reunited with their family following the operation, which took place near the Kajuru forest in Kaduna State at around 23:30 local time (22:30 GMT) on Saturday.
The six sisters, aged from the early teens to 23, were taken hostage alongside their father, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, on 2 January at the family home in Bwari, a suburb of Abuja.The six sisters, aged from the early teens to 23, were taken hostage alongside their father, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, on 2 January at the family home in Bwari, a suburb of Abuja.
Witnesses said the girls' uncle ran to find help but was ambushed and killed, as were three police officers.Witnesses said the girls' uncle ran to find help but was ambushed and killed, as were three police officers.
The kidnappers released Mansoor on the condition he raise a large ransom, but his 21-year-old daughter, Nabeeha, a final year university student, was then killed as a warning, according to a family member who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity.The kidnappers released Mansoor on the condition he raise a large ransom, but his 21-year-old daughter, Nabeeha, a final year university student, was then killed as a warning, according to a family member who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity.
BBC Africa Live: Updates from the continentBBC Africa Live: Updates from the continent
BBC Africa Live: Updates from the continent
Kidnapping has become rife in Nigeria, with hundreds of people abducted in recent years, largely by criminal gangs who see it as an easy way to make money. It has been particularly bad in the north-west of the country.Kidnapping has become rife in Nigeria, with hundreds of people abducted in recent years, largely by criminal gangs who see it as an easy way to make money. It has been particularly bad in the north-west of the country.
The case of the Al-Kadriyar sisters prompted widespread anger in the country, with many arguing that the kidnapping emergency has continued despite government promises to bring it to an end.The case of the Al-Kadriyar sisters prompted widespread anger in the country, with many arguing that the kidnapping emergency has continued despite government promises to bring it to an end.
First Lady Remi Tinubu urged security agencies to "intensify their efforts" to end the kidnapping and security crisis, and demanded a "swift return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters".First Lady Remi Tinubu urged security agencies to "intensify their efforts" to end the kidnapping and security crisis, and demanded a "swift return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters".
The ransom for the girls' return was set at 65m naira ($68,000; £53,000), leading to many Nigerians donating to a crowdfunding initiative.The ransom for the girls' return was set at 65m naira ($68,000; £53,000), leading to many Nigerians donating to a crowdfunding initiative.
However, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar urged people not to contribute towards the ransom, saying it would "only worse the situation".However, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar urged people not to contribute towards the ransom, saying it would "only worse the situation".
"We believe we have to stop - as painful as it is. We have to stop responding to payment on ransom. If we stop, over time the kidnapping will not be profitable and they will stop," he said."We believe we have to stop - as painful as it is. We have to stop responding to payment on ransom. If we stop, over time the kidnapping will not be profitable and they will stop," he said.
No matter how desperate the circumstances, Nigerian law prohibits the payment of ransom money. However, many victims pay up because they do not trust authorities to secure the release of their loved ones.No matter how desperate the circumstances, Nigerian law prohibits the payment of ransom money. However, many victims pay up because they do not trust authorities to secure the release of their loved ones.
There has now been an outcry that the insecurity has reached the capital, prompting Abuja's police force to launch a special squad to tackle the kidnapping gangs.There has now been an outcry that the insecurity has reached the capital, prompting Abuja's police force to launch a special squad to tackle the kidnapping gangs.
Mr Abubakar said he believed operations against the gangs elsewhere had forced them to move to areas near the capital.Mr Abubakar said he believed operations against the gangs elsewhere had forced them to move to areas near the capital.
"The security agencies are working very hard to push them out and block the movements and finish them off once and for all," he said."The security agencies are working very hard to push them out and block the movements and finish them off once and for all," he said.
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in:
First Lady 'devastated' by death of kidnapped studentFirst Lady 'devastated' by death of kidnapped student
First Lady 'devastated' by death of kidnapped student
'How I survived my train hijacking''How I survived my train hijacking'
'How I survived my train hijacking'
Why Nigeria wants to jail those who pay ransomsWhy Nigeria wants to jail those who pay ransoms
Why Nigeria wants to jail those who pay ransoms
How disgraced preacher TB Joshua faked his miraclesHow disgraced preacher TB Joshua faked his miracles
How disgraced preacher TB Joshua faked his miracles
Nigeria child abduction: Kidnappers demand millions for a child's lifeNigeria child abduction: Kidnappers demand millions for a child's life
Nigeria child abduction: Kidnappers demand millions for a child's life
Related topics
Nigeria
Abuja
Africa