The suspected kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of N2.5 million, but the boy’s body was discovered near his family’s residence before the money could be paid.
The victim’s uncle, Sukairaj Danladi Gado, disclosed the incident to journalists in Jos on Wednesday, October 21, saying the boy was sent on an errand by a family member on Monday evening but failed to return home.
According to Gado, the family became worried when the child did not return and immediately began searching for him. However, their efforts to locate him proved unsuccessful.
“We started looking for him after that, but all our efforts to locate him proved abortive. On Tuesday morning, we received a call from an unidentified telephone number telling us that the boy had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom of N2.5 million,” he said.
Gado explained that the family agreed to pay the ransom in the hope of securing the boy’s safe return.
“We agreed to pay the ransom because we wanted the boy to return home alive. We were hoping that he would be released, but what happened later shattered our hope,” he said.
He added that the boy’s body was discovered on Tuesday evening in a narrow passage near the family’s residence, plunging the family and residents of the neighbourhood into mourning.
Describing the incident as painful and traumatic, Gado said the family was devastated by the news of the child’s death.
He expressed suspicion that those responsible might be familiar with the neighbourhood and called on security agencies to investigate the incident, identify the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice.
The bereaved uncle also urged the authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
