A family in Edo State is being pushed to the brink of financial ruin as they desperately sell off all their son’s lifelong assets to meet a staggering new ransom demand of ₦50 million for his release.
This heartbreaking development follows weeks of agony after the man and his wife were kidnapped from their home. Initially, the kidnappers demanded ₦20 million. The family, in a frantic race against time, spent over ten days selling possessions, borrowing money, and pooling resources to gather the full amount.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu was reportedly engaged to help facilitate the ransom payment. However, shortly after the money was handed over, the kidnappers allegedly claimed it was incomplete. They released the wife but kept the husband captive.
New Demand, Total Desperation
More than two weeks later, the kidnappers have now issued a fresh demand: an additional ₦50 million. This has forced the family to liquidate everything the victim spent years building. According to updates shared by social commentator Very Dark Black Man, the family has already sold his car, listed his gas plant business for sale, and put his house and a 100-by-100 plot of land on the market—assets representing a lifetime of labor and dreams.
Allegations and Denials
The family believes the renewed demand stems from an alleged diversion of ₦5 million from the original ransom—a claim Gwamnishu has publicly denied. In a statement, he insisted on his innocence and stated he has evidence to prove the full amount was delivered as agreed.
While this controversy continues to stir public debate, the human toll remains undeniable: a man remains in captivity, and a family is being stripped of every material possession in a desperate bid to save his life.
The situation highlights the vicious cycle of kidnapping-for-ransom plaguing many Nigerian communities, where victims’ families are often left with no support from authorities and must negotiate alone under extreme duress.
All eyes are now on law enforcement agencies as Nigerians await not only the victim’s safe return but also greater accountability and action to end the kidnap epidemic devastating countless families.
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