Despite paying the N12 million ransom demanded, gunmen killed Muhammad Shuaibu, an Abuja-based businessman, and his 19-year-old daughter, Fatima Muhammad.

Muhammad Shuaibu, a shopkeeper at the Dei-Dei Modern Market in the FCT's Bwari Area Council, and his daughter Fatima Muhammad, a University of Abuja student until her death, were kidnapped.

On October 3, 2025, armed males allegedly broke into Shuaibu and his two daughters' home in Zhidu community, which is part of Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State.

After gathering up household members, the kidnappers first led the businessman and his daughters into the wilderness, 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—to the kidnappers after they wanted it in installments, totaling N12 million.

According to him, “The kidnappers had earlier killed Fatima about three months ago, accusing her of being stubborn, even as negotiations for ransom were ongoing.”

The family member further stated that the kidnappers ordered the ransom bearer to return following 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 gather money for the ransom, the family had to sell the deceased's automobile, sachet water production machine, and business at Dei-Dei Modern Market.

Source