We are dying in silence’: Borno families sell homes over abductions

Families of some of the 52 residents abducted in Borno State have begun selling their properties in anticipation of ransom demands from their kidnappers.

The victims were abducted by gunmen from different parts of the state on April 15, leaving their relatives under intense pressure as they await information about their whereabouts.

Hassan Yati, spokesperson for the victims’ families, told Saturday PUNCH that some relatives had resorted to selling houses and other valuables to raise money in case the abductors demanded ransom.

Yati said one family whose two sons were among those kidnapped was defrauded of N1.5m after individuals posing as the abductors demanded N3m.

According to him, the family later discovered that the actual terrorists had neither demanded the money nor authorised anyone to collect ransom on their behalf.

He said the incident had further worsened the financial difficulties facing families already struggling to provide for their households.

Yati also disclosed that a woman whose only daughter was abducted had sold her family house in Biu Local Government Area in anticipation of a ransom demand.

“Initially, we thought it was money the kidnappers wanted. One of the parents with only daughter kidnapped told me she sold her family house in Biu in anticipation, only to hear otherwise.

“Even me, I put our family house up for sale, but no one is talking to us again,” he stated.

Yati said he also put his family house up for sale because his younger brother and his wife were among those abducted on April 15.

He explained that other relatives had subjected him to pressure, accusing him of withholding information about efforts to secure the victims’ release.

“The rest of the parents bombard me with calls and messages. They now accuse me of hiding information,” he said.

According to him, repeated efforts by the families to draw the attention of the government to their plight have yet to produce any meaningful response.

Another parent, Monday Bako, said she sold her house after her daughter was kidnapped on January 13, hoping to raise funds in case the abductors demanded ransom.

Bako, a food vendor, said she had received no information about her daughter’s whereabouts or the circumstances of her captivity.

“They kidnapped my daughter since 13th of January till today. I have no idea of where they are and who held her captive. We have not heard anything about her and others abducted in our community.

“I later sold my house to raise money in case we hear any information. We thought they would demand ransom but unfortunately, nothing has been demanded.”

Another relative, whose wife and three-month-old baby are among those held by the terrorists, appealed to the government to intensify efforts to secure their release.

“We are tired of waiting. We are dying in silence. Our appeal to the government is for them to come to our aid,” the source said.