A former Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Sani Toro; former Assistant Coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles, Garba Yila; and one of their friends, Alhaji Isa Jah have been kidnapped.
The details of the exact place they were kidnapped is still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, but our correspondent gathered that they were kidnapped around a village in Nasarawa State.
They were said to have been on their way back to Bauchi from Abuja where they went to attend the wedding of the son of former NFF President, Aminu Maigari, which took place on Saturday.
They were said to have left Abuja at about some minutes past 5.00pm and were reportedly kidnapped at about 7.30pm.
A family source who confirmed the incident to our correspondent in a telephone interview on Sunday afternoon said that the kidnappers are demanding N150 million as ransom before they are released.
The source who spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not permitted to speak on the matter said that they spoke to Maigari, their host and demanded for the ransom.
“Yes, it is true that he (Isa Toro) was driving with two of his friends when they were kidnapped yesterday (Saturday). The kidnappers are demanding N150 million as ransom before they are released. They are demanding ransom for N50 million for each of them,” the source said.
A family friend and neighbour of Toro, Mallam Ardo Hazzad, also confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
He said, “The incident is true, I can confirm that to you. A family source called me yesterday to inform me that Sani Toro was kidnapped while returning to Bauchi from Abuja after attending the wedding of the son of the former NFF President, Mallam Aminu Maigari.
“They left Bauchi on Friday to Abuja to attend the wedding and we’re on their way back yesterday when the unfortunate incident happened.
“We are saddened by this incident and we pray to Allah to protect them and we also pray for their safe release and return home in good health.
“One of them, the former Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach, Garba Yila is not in a good condition, health wise.”
Speaking further, Hazzad said, “It is very unfortunate and pathetic for the incident to have happened after they went to the wedding of one of our friends. And if I was aware of the wedding, I would have been with them because I would have traveled with them to the wedding in Abuja.”
The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, who confirmed the abduction of the trio, said he could not give full details of the incident as it happened outside his state.
Wakil Superintendent of Police said, “Yes, the news is true. I got across to one of his sons who told me he was kidnapped around Akwanga road in Nasarawa while returning from Abuja.
“I don’t have much details but I’ll communicate to you more details as I get them.”
