Baba-Ahmed alleges his nephew spent 37 days in kidnappers’ den despite intelligence provided to authorities before a N175 million ransom was paid

Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has alleged that his nephew spent 37 days in captivity despite repeated efforts by the family to provide security agencies with information about the kidnappers’ location.

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Baba-Ahmed made the claim while recounting the ordeal, saying the victim was eventually released only after a ransom of N175 million was paid.

According to him, the incident exposed what he described as serious shortcomings in the response of security authorities to kidnapping cases, even when actionable intelligence is available.

The former adviser said his nephew, who worked at the Presidential Villa, was abducted and held for more than five weeks by kidnappers.

He alleged that during the period of captivity, the family obtained information about the location of the abductors and passed it on to relevant authorities, expecting a rescue operation.

However, Baba-Ahmed claimed that no decisive action was taken despite the information provided.

“Despite working in Aso Villa, my nephew spent 37 days in kidnappers’ den. I gave authorities their location, but they didn’t act until I paid N175 million ransom,” he said.

The allegation highlights growing concerns over the persistence of kidnapping-for-ransom across several parts of Nigeria, where families often face difficult choices while awaiting the intervention of security agencies.

Kidnapping has remained one of the country’s most pressing security challenges, affecting citizens from various social and economic backgrounds, including government officials, businesspeople, students and rural residents.

Security agencies have consistently maintained that they are intensifying efforts to combat kidnapping networks through intelligence gathering, surveillance operations and coordinated security interventions.

However, cases involving prolonged captivity and ransom payments continue to fuel public debate over the effectiveness of existing security measures and the speed of official responses to distress calls.

Baba-Ahmed’s account has added a personal dimension to the broader conversation about insecurity, particularly because the victim was reportedly connected to the nation’s seat of power through his employment at the Presidential Villa.

The former adviser did not indicate whether any arrests were made following the victim’s release or whether the alleged intelligence provided to authorities was subsequently acted upon.

His remarks are likely to renew calls for stronger anti-kidnapping measures, improved intelligence coordination and faster operational responses to information supplied by victims’ families.