After 26 days in the captivity of their abductors, Zamfara twin sisters have regained their freedom. But not without the payment of N15 million ransom payment.
The twin, Hassana and Hussaina Yusuf, 16, who had fixed their wedding for December, were kidnapped along with their sister, Summaya, 20, when they visited her at her residence in Dauran village, Zurmi local government area of the state on Tuesday, October 23. in preparation for their wedding.
The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N150 million but had to reduce it to N15 million when they realized that the girls’ family could not raise the money.
Even after the ransom was brought down to N15 million, the girl’s family still could not raise the sum and had to cry out to well-meaning Nigerians to come to their rescue.
The abductors getting desperate resorted to threatening to kill one of the girls if the ransom money was not paid on time.
An audio clip that had since gone viral on Facebook, had one of the twin sisters, Hussaina sobbing, complaining about maltreatment and appealing for help.
“I am battling with headache. We are in dire situation, they are about to kill us,” Hussaina sobbed. “They beat us every morning. Please help rescue us. Even yesterday, they slaughtered some people in our presence. We are starving. Please get contributions even from the general public.”
But one of the abductor cut in, saying the call would be the last he would make with the twins if they failed to deliver the ransom.
Help came quickly to the girls as the vice chairman of Zurmi LGA, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran, confirmed their release weekend.
“We are waiting for their arrival now; they were released after ransom was paid even though their sister called Sumayya is still with them. But you should give us some time please we will talk to you later,” Dauran told the media.