By Milcah Tanimu
In a distressing incident, Mistura Olasinde and her two daughters, Hauwa and Fatima, residents of Starwood Estate in Galadimawa, Abuja, were abducted on September 8, 2023. Mistura’s husband, Surajudeen Olasinde, an employee of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, provided details of the harrowing ordeal.
The abduction occurred as the family was driving from Garki to their home in Starwood Estate. The incident unfolded around 7 pm near Kabusa Garden Estate, where deteriorating road conditions provided an opportunity for the kidnappers to strike. The assailants emerged from nearby bushes, firing shots to create fear before forcibly taking the victims into the forest.
Residents promptly alerted the Galadimawa Divisional Police Officer, Jerry Cole, who led a team of police officers and vigilantes in a search operation. Unfortunately, their efforts yielded no success.
Surajudeen Olasinde, who was away in Kwara State at the time, recounted that the Department of State Services tracked the kidnappers’ movements, leading the search to a forest in Kuje.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ₦100 million ransom, which was later reduced to ₦50 million and then ₦10 million. Ultimately, they asked for the amount the family had available. Surajudeen Olasinde and his brother-in-law managed to collect ₦2.840 million, which they delivered to the kidnappers on Saturday night.
The ransom exchange took place in Kabusa Village, with an okada (commercial motorbike) rider facilitating the transaction. The family was eventually reunited with Mistura and her daughters, who had endured a traumatic experience.
Surajudeen Olasinde appealed for assistance from President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, citing the need for improved security in the area. He highlighted the physical injuries and psychological trauma his wife and daughters suffered, emphasizing their urgent need for medical care.
Kayode Adedoyin, the Chairman of Residents of Starwood Estate, called attention to the recurring kidnappings in the area and called on Minister Wike to enhance security measures.
The Galadimawa DPO, Mr. Cole, directed inquiries to the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, as he was not authorized to speak to the media. SP Adeh, when contacted, indicated that the FCT Police Command had not yet been briefed about the situation and pledged to provide updates once informed.
