Woman Succumbs to Exhaustion in Ekiti Kidnapping; Six Survivors Freed After N25 Million Ransom
In a harrowing incident that underscores the persistent security challenges in Nigeria's southwestern region, gunmen have released six kidnapped residents of Erinmope-Ekiti in Ekiti State's Moba Local Government Area after receiving a ransom payment of N25 million. Tragically, one of the victims, identified as Hawau Suleiman, died during captivity, with her body still missing at the time of reporting.
Details of the Abduction and Tragic Outcome
The ordeal began on January 24, 2026, when armed assailants stormed the community and abducted five women. Among those taken were a nursing mother and an expectant mother who was nine months pregnant. The kidnappers initially demanded a staggering N100 million for their release.
According to sources and survivor accounts, the victims were subjected to several weeks of forced wandering through expansive forests spanning Ekiti, Kwara, and Kogi States. During this grueling period, Hawau Suleiman reportedly collapsed from exhaustion and died. The kidnappers allegedly prevented other captives from assisting her, threatening violence if they stopped moving.
Negotiations and Escalation of the Crisis
The situation worsened during ransom negotiations. Two men from the victims' families delivered N10 million in an attempt to secure the release of the five women. However, the abductors rejected this amount and instead took the two men captive, increasing the total number of hostages to seven.
After prolonged negotiations, the hostages were eventually released earlier this week following the payment of N25 million by the families. The six survivors were freed at separate locations in Kogi and Kwara States on Tuesday, from where they made their way back to Erinmope-Ekiti.
Survivor's Harrowing Account
Muhammad Soliu, one of the six freed victims, narrated their ordeal on Thursday. He described how they trekked several kilometers barefoot, without food or water, from a forest in Kwara to the Kogi axis. "We had no hope of surviving," Soliu said.
He recounted the tragic moment when Hawau collapsed: "As we were being moved from one location to another, the deceased woman collapsed. We pleaded to carry her, but the kidnappers threatened to kill us if we stopped. They ordered us to continue moving without looking back. It was the worst experience anyone could imagine."
Soliu appealed to authorities to assist in recovering Hawau's body for proper burial. He also revealed that he and his brother were tied together when they delivered the first N10 million and were forced to travel deeper into the forest, where they were not allowed to interact with the five women initially abducted.
Aftermath and Medical Concerns
The expectant mother among the victims was reportedly taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention following her release. Soliu noted that he and his brother spent 11 days with their abductors, while the five women endured approximately a month in captivity.
This incident highlights the ongoing security crisis in parts of Ekiti State and neighboring regions, where kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly prevalent. The tragedy of Hawau Suleiman's death in captivity adds to the growing list of victims who have suffered fatal consequences during such ordeals.
Local authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the recovery of Hawau's body or any investigations into the kidnapping. The community of Erinmope-Ekiti remains in mourning as they grapple with the loss of one of their own and the traumatic experience endured by the survivors.
