SUNTV Global Channel News | June 8, 2026
The Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Yaqub Bello, has shared a heartbreaking account of how kidnappers allegedly abducted his child, demanded an ₦80 million ransom, and later killed the victim after months in captivity.
Speaking in an emotional video that has gone viral, Bello revealed that the tragic incident occurred during the period widely known as the “No Cash” era, when cash scarcity affected many families across Nigeria.
According to Bello, the kidnappers held his child captive for more than two months while repeatedly demanding an ₦80 million ransom. He said he was unable to meet the demand and eventually lost his child to the criminals.
“I personally experienced the pain of kidnapping. They kidnapped my child and demanded money. I told them I did not have the money. They kept my child for more than two months and later killed him,” Bello said.
The Fulani leader disclosed that despite the passage of time, the remains of his child have never been recovered.
“Up till today, I have not seen the corpse of my child,” he lamented.
His revelation comes amid growing concerns over insecurity and recent abductions in Oyo State, particularly the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, some Fulani residents in the state have expressed concern over what they describe as increasing ethnic profiling and stigmatization following several kidnapping incidents. They argue that criminal activities should not be used to label an entire community.
The Oyo State Police Command recently dismissed reports claiming that one of the abducted schoolchildren in the Oriire incident had died in captivity. The police described the report as false and misleading, assuring residents that efforts to rescue the victims remain ongoing.
Security experts say Bello’s experience highlights the devastating impact of kidnapping on families across Nigeria and underscores the urgent need for stronger security measures to tackle the growing threat.
Authorities have continued to intensify operations against criminal groups as calls grow for lasting solutions to insecurity in the country.
Reporting by SUNTV Global Channel Your Voice, Your News, Your World.
