After Family Holds Funeral for Abducted NYSC Member— Kidnappers Send shocking Voice Note
“A kidnapped NYSC corps member, Abba, believed dead after his family conducted Islamic funeral prayers due to prolonged silence from kidnappers, has reportedly appeared alive in a video released by his captors. The kidnappers had earlier collected a ₦10 million ransom but allegedly refused to release him, later sending a voice note and demanding additional items including motorcycles.”
“In a shocking twist that has stunned many Nigerians, the family of an abducted National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Abba, reportedly held funeral prayers for him after losing contact with his kidnappers—only for the abductors to later send a voice note claiming he was still alive. The dramatic development has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about the growing audacity of kidnappers in northern Nigeria, especially after reports emerged that the criminals flaunted ransom money online while making fresh demands.”
Activist English Alhaji has revealed a dramatic twist in the abduction saga of Abba, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, whose family reportedly held funeral prayers for him after losing all contact with his kidnappers—only to later discover he was still alive.
Speaking during an interview on News Central TV, the activist explained that the family had lost hope after communication with the abductors suddenly stopped.
According to him, the kidnappers changed their phone numbers and cut off every channel of communication, leaving the family with no verifiable proof that Abba was still alive.
Believing the worst had happened, the family proceeded with Islamic funeral rites typically performed in cases where a missing person is presumed dead.
However, shortly after the funeral prayer was conducted, the kidnappers reportedly released a voice note claiming that Abba was still alive.
Initially, the family rejected the message, insisting that the prolonged silence meant their son had been killed.
To remove doubts, intermediaries reportedly asked the abducted corps member to record a video confirming that he was alive and to state the current date.
Abba later complied, providing visual confirmation that convinced the family he was indeed still alive in captivity.
Recounting the development, the activist said:
“They conducted the funeral already. And after the funeral, a voice note was released from the kidnappers saying that Abba is still alive, but the family refused to accept it. They said no, that Abba is not alive, that he’s gone, because we cut communication with them.”
He continued:
“There was a time we tried to reach them, but they changed every contact, every connection to us. They disconnected it. So they sent out that voice note and the family refused to accept it.”
According to him, the situation only changed after Abba was asked to record a video confirming the date and proving he was alive.
“That was before we now told Abba, if he’s alive, he should come up and do this video, giving us the date and everything, which he did. So the family was like, okay. It’s not been easy for them at all,” he added.
Meanwhile, a new video released by the kidnappers reportedly shows Abba speaking from their hideout and stating that the recording was made on the 19th day of Ramadan, further confirming that he is alive.
The development contradicts earlier fears by his family that he had been killed after they allegedly paid a ₦10 million ransom and still lost contact with the abductors.
Despite receiving the ransom payment, the kidnappers reportedly refused to release him and are now making fresh demands, including two motorcycles, before his freedom can be secured.
Kidnappers Flaunt Ransom Money Online
In a related development, English Alhaji also expressed outrage over what he described as the brazen behavior of kidnappers who allegedly collected ransom payments from victims’ families and then flaunted the money on social media.
Speaking during the same interview on News Central TV, the activist said the most infuriating aspect of the ordeal was the public display of ransom money by those who received it.
According to him, the individual who collected the funds later posted images or videos of the cash online, an action that has angered families and supporters who contributed through crowdfunding efforts.
The payments reportedly included ₦10 million for Abba and ₦7 million for another victim identified as Mariam, bringing the total ransom raised to ₦17 million after negotiations reduced the kidnappers’ initial demands.
Despite receiving the money, the abductors allegedly refused to release the victims and instead imposed additional demands.
Expressing frustration over the development, the activist said:
“The most annoying part is that these people are coming out on social media to even post the money we gave them. That alone is getting me very angry.”
He added:
“The person who received the money came on social media to post it. Honestly, I don’t even want to go into those details right now.”
The incident has further highlighted the growing insecurity and the audacity of kidnapping gangs operating in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly Zamfara State, where abductions for ransom have become increasingly common.
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