We wish to once again cry out to the government, security agencies, well-meaning Nigerians, humanitarian organizations, and the international community that up till this very moment, our people are still in the den of kidnappers.
These are innocent and vulnerable people, including aged women, small children, and even a three-month-old baby, currently being held in the bush under harsh weather conditions, without adequate food, shelter, or medical care. Their situation is heartbreaking and unbearable.
Following the attack on Ehwakya, Unguwar Sarki in Ugom Community on 04/01/2025, the following persons are the victims who were kidnapped and are still in the den of their captors during the incident:
1. Mr. Hosea Irimiya – 15 years
2. Mr. Moses Felix – 10 years
3. Mrs. Philomena Andrew – 23 years
4. Vivian Andrew – 3 years
5. Joseph Andrew – 3 months
6. Mrs. Janet John – 30 years
7. Miss Precious John – 5 years
8. Miss Rejoice Yunnana – 20 years
9. Mr. Bitrus Patrick – 5 years
10. Miss Violins Danlami – 10 years
11. Mr. Frank Danlami – 8 years
12. Mrs. Victoria Timothy – 40 years
13. Mrs. Veronica Pius – 39 years
14. Mrs. Esther Cornelius – 38 years
15. Miss Jamima Abel – 21 years
Disturbingly, the terrorists contacted us recently and demanded a ransom of ₦ 150,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira).
We sincerely ask: Where can a poor rural community like Ugom raise such an amount?
These terrorist camps are surrounding our community, yet we are helpless and cannot confront them on our own. Our people now live in constant fear, unable to sleep with their two eyes closed.
This unfortunate incident once again highlights how vulnerable our people are. It is deeply painful that the majority of those kidnapped are women and children, the weakest and most defenseless among us. This situation calls for urgent and decisive security intervention.
We are therefore passionately appealing to:
. The Federal and Kaduna State Governments
. Security agencies
. Humanitarian organizations
. Religious bodies
. Civil society groups
. Well-meaning individuals
Please come to our aid this time around.
Our people deserve to live, farm, worship, and sleep in peace.
We continue to hope and pray for their safe return. May God intervene and bring an end to this persistent insecurity in Ugom Community and beyond.
Signed:
Onnusim Alhaji Ishaya
Chairman, Ugom Progressive Union.
