Tears and Survival: How Bandits Released Yakubu Dada After N30 Million Ransom in Niger State
In yet another disturbing incident that highlights the growing crisis of insecurity and banditry in Northern Nigeria, a retired civil servant, Yakubu Dada, who was kidnapped alongside his youngest wife, Lami, on October 31, 2024, along the Kontagora Road in Niger State, has finally regained his freedom after spending over seven harrowing months in captivity.
According to a detailed report by Daily Trust, Dada was released on Monday, June 2, 2025, following the payment of an additional N20 million ransom by his devastated family. This brings the total ransom paid to the ruthless kidnappers to N30 million. But the joy of his return is deeply overshadowed by tragedy — his youngest wife, Lami, was brutally killed by the bandits in early May 2025, in a desperate bid to pressure the family into complying with their demands.
A Kidnapping That Shook Minna: How It All Began
Dada, a retired civil servant and resident of the Brighter Area in Minna, Niger State’s capital, was travelling with Lami when they were abducted just a few kilometers from Kontagora. The kidnapping, like many others in Niger State and across Northern Nigeria, was executed by heavily armed bandits believed to be operating from deep inside the forests stretching across Niger, Kebbi, and Zamfara States.
The incident is part of a growing wave of kidnappings-for-ransom that has become all too common in Niger State and other parts of the Northwest and North-Central Nigeria. Thousands of families have suffered similar fates, but Dada’s case has particularly drawn sympathy due to the brutal murder of his wife and the extreme financial sacrifices made by his family.
“We Sold Everything”: Family Paid N10 Million, But It Wasn’t Enough
Shortly after Dada and Lami were abducted, the kidnappers contacted the family, demanding an initial ransom of N10 million for their release. In November 2024, the family went to unimaginable lengths to raise the money.
Speaking to Daily Trust, Maimuna, Dada’s eldest wife, recounted the heartbreaking sacrifices the family made.
“We sold almost all our belongings, including our house, two cars, beds, televisions, and other valuables, to raise the initial N10 million ransom,” she said.
The ransom was reportedly delivered in person by Dada’s younger brother inside a forest in Kebbi State, a location known for being a hideout for criminal gangs and bandit leaders.
From N60 Million to Death Threats: Escalating Demands from the Kidnappers
After collecting the N10 million ransom, the family hoped Dada and Lami would be released. But to their horror, the kidnappers reneged on their promise and instead increased their demands. They asked for N60 million and later reduced the demand to N20 million and four Bajaj motorcycles.
The family was devastated. Not only had they exhausted their financial resources, but they were now being asked for more than double the original amount. The kidnappers also issued chilling threats, saying they would kill Dada if their demands were not met.
Then, in an unimaginable act of cruelty, the bandits killed Lami in early May 2025. The news broke the hearts of the family and shocked the entire Brighter Area community in Minna.
The cold-blooded murder of Lami was clearly aimed at instilling fear and forcing the family to act faster.
Final Payment, Freedom, and a Deep Loss
Eventually, after weeks of community fundraising, family efforts, and support from sympathizers, the Dada family managed to raise the additional N20 million demanded by the kidnappers.
According to Maimuna, the money was delivered to the kidnappers, who then released Dada and abandoned him near Kotonkoro, a remote community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, known to be plagued by the presence of bandit groups.
“He was released and abandoned by the kidnappers near Kotonkoro in Mariga LGA after receiving the additional N20 million,” Maimuna confirmed.
While the family is thankful for Dada’s survival, the loss of Lami, a young woman with her life ahead of her, has left them shattered.
Banditry in Niger State: A Growing Crisis
This tragic incident underscores the deepening insecurity in Niger State, where banditry, kidnapping, and violent crimes have grown alarmingly over the past few years. With large forested areas offering safe havens to criminal groups, local communities continue to live in fear.
Many citizens now question how long they must continue to suffer before the Nigerian government finds a lasting solution to the escalating crisis.
Why Banditry Persists in Northern Nigeria
There are many factors fueling banditry in states like Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kebbi. Some of the major reasons include:
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Lack of effective policing in remote areas
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Weak intelligence gathering and delayed military response
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Poor economic conditions pushing youths into criminal gangs
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Failure to prosecute arrested bandits, creating a cycle of impunity
Despite repeated government assurances, cases like Dada’s show that bandits still operate freely, dictating the terms of engagement and collecting ransoms worth tens of millions of naira.
The Human Cost of Insecurity in Nigeria
For every high-profile kidnapping reported, hundreds more occur quietly in rural communities with little media attention. The emotional and financial toll on families is devastating.
Dada’s family now faces an uncertain future. Their home is gone, their belongings sold, and Lami is dead. This is the real face of banditry in Nigeria — it is not just about headlines, but real lives ruined and families broken.
Calls for Action: Enough Is Enough
Dada’s release should not be the end of this story. It should be a wake-up call to Nigerian leaders, security agencies, and the international community. Citizens are no longer safe on the roads or even in their homes.
The Niger State Government, as well as the Federal Government of Nigeria, must intensify efforts to secure all communities and dismantle the strongholds of these criminal groups. No citizen should have to choose between life and selling all their possessions just to pay ransom.
Conclusion: A Bitter Victory
While Dada is finally back home, his story is one of pain, loss, and survival. His wife was murdered in cold blood, and his family pushed to the edge. The experience they’ve endured paints a haunting picture of the insecurity crisis in Nigeria.
As Nigerians continue to pray for peace and justice, the story of Yakubu Dada will remain a reminder that urgent action is needed to end banditry and kidnapping in Niger State and beyond.
