An Abuja-based lawyer, Bala Dakum, on Thursday, narrated how his 85-year-old father, Deh Idi Dakum, was kidnapped and killed shortly after ransom was paid.

“My dad, Deh Idi Dakum, was the Galadima Nyam in Tangur, the district of Bokkos local government area in Plateau state. He was about 85 years old.

“On November 18, he was kidnapped at about 7:00 p.m. in our village, Matelem. His phone and that of my mother were taken away. Unknown to us that the abductors had killed him just about a kilometre away from the house that same day, my brother, Moses, kept calling his phone,” the lawyer said.

His brother later established contact with their father’s abductors on November 19. A ransom was paid the following day.

Mr Dakum explained that before paying the ransom, his sibling, whom the family mandated to speak with the abductors, requested to speak with their father. The kidnappers said they left their father with other gang members.

“When my brother paid the ransom, they assured him they’d communicate to their gang, whom they claimed my dad was in their custody, to drop him close to the village. My brother left with the hope that my dad would return before day break but to no avail.

“On the 21st of November, he called the abductors, and they assured him that they’ll release him. My dad did not return on 21st November 2024. On 22nd November 2024, my brother called again but could not reach the abductors.

“On 23rd November 2024, my brother called the abductors again, but this time, one of the abductors who spoke to him was hostile and asked my brother if he was taking him cheap,” Mr Dakum narrated.

He added, “He (one of the kidnappers) said the ransom paid was inadequate and demanded more money, but we didn’t pay any ransom again because, at this time, we began to suspect that they were not being honest. However, few hours later, at about 9:00 a.m., my dad’s dead body was found on a farm just about a kilometre away from the house where he was abducted.

“From the state of his body, he had been there for days. His remains were buried immediately on 23rd November 2024 in Matelem village, in the presence of the district head, Deh Sati Nder, the Bokkos LGA chairman, Hon Amalau, and members of the STF who are also stationed about a kilometre away from the house.”

(NAN)