Nigerians expressed outraged
over the murder of Mrs Bola Philip Ataga, at Juji, Kaduna State and 18-year-old
seminarian, Michael Nnadi by suspected kidnappers.
Nigerians took to different social media
platforms to express their shock and anger. The outrage is not only over the
murder of Bola, but also that of Nnadi. The killing of both victims came on the
heel of the killing of the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN) in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan Andimi and 22-year-old
student of Biology Education of the University of Maiduguri, Mr. Ropvil Dalyep.
Nnadi was among four Nigerian seminarians
kidnapped last month. The three seminarians kidnapped along with him were
released in the weeks following their kidnapping.
Mr Sunday Michael Ogwu, on his Facebook,
gave detailed events leading to Bola’s death.
Less than seven hours after Ogwu shared
the story of her abduction and death, the story was shared over 21 times.
He said: “I was woken to the call of my
father in-law on the 25th, at about 3:am, informing me of the kidnap of the wife
and two children of Dr Philip Ataga, at Juji, Kaduna. I was completely rattled.
The information was difficult to absorb because Dr Philip had only recently
donated a police station to the Juji community to help improve the security
situation. The commissioning had the Assistant-Inspector-General of Police
(AIG) of the zone and the Kaduna State Government officials in attendance, to
the delight of the community that has become plague by constant abduction. In
December 2019 alone, there were three cases. The other reason why it had to
process was that, the said police station is located barely 50 meters from Dr
Philips residence, where the bandits operated for three hours- 10:pm to 1:am-unhindered,
with sporadic gun shots, until, they succeeded in breaking down the walls,
killing the police dogs and reaching for his family.”
Ogwu explained that the bravery of the
local vigilante men, who only had Dane guns, was met with superior gun power,
which resulted in one of them being killed.
Ogwu noted that 24 hours after the
bandits have abducted Bola and her two children, they reached out to Philip,
demanding N200 million. They would later come down to N50million amidst
pleadings.
Ogwu narrated: “Whilst efforts to raise
the ransom were on, news started going round of a possible murder of Bola
Ataga, on 29th. We immediately dismissed it as a strategy to force panic. On the
30th, the bandit called and asked that we pick up her body along a road path.
The family immediately reached for the location but none was found. We then
reached for the mortuaries, but she was not amongst the dead bodies found. The
family met several other families who had come to identify their loved ones. It
became immediately clear that there are a lot of family who's loved ones had
been held captive.
“On Friday the 31th, earlier in the day,
we received the news of the released seminarians of Good Shepherd Seminary,
along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway. We were somewhat rekindled with hope. We
prayed; we used their release as a point of intercession. But alas, our worst
fears manifested. The family on another rounds of search, identified the
lifeless body of our dear mother, sister and wife. They, however, held on to
the kids, demanding for N20 million. We are completely overwhelmed. Our hearts
are heavy. Our hope is completely shattered by the near absence of government. What
are we supposed to do? We have a sister to mourn and we can't even do that in
peace without the bandits reminding us that, we are running out of time.”
Ogwu argued that the country was daily
failing its citizens. He said that everywhere, “we look all we see is
hopelessness!”
He urged Nigerians to pray for the safe
return of Bola’s children from the den of the kidnappers.
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto,
Nigeria, in a statement released Feb. 1, 2020, said: “My dear brethren, with a
very heavy heart, I wish to inform you that our dear son, Nnadi Michael was
murdered by the bandits on a date we cannot confirm. He and the wife of a
doctor were arbitrarily separated from the group and killed. The Rector identified
the corpse this afternoon. The Lord knows best. Let's remain strong and pray
for the repose of his soul. I had to delay this announcement until Mama got
back from the market. We have broken the news to her and I will be with her.
Please let us be calm. May God give him eternal rest.”
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