Rita Odafe
A tragic incident unfolded as criminals who killed Dr. Tiri Gyan David, a respected lecturer, now demand a hefty ransom of ₦300 million from his widow to secure the release of their two kidnapped sons.
The late Dr. David, who held the position of Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension, and Rural Development at the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA), was fatally shot by bandits in Katsina State, northwest Nigeria, last week, leading to the abduction of his children.
The dreadful event took place during the early hours of Tuesday at their home in Yarima Quarters, Low-Cost Estate, in Dutsinma Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that the terrorists made contact with the lecturer’s widow to demand the staggering sum of ₦300 million for the safe return of her captive sons.
A family friend shared that the call from the bandits came in the early hours of Sunday, which was answered by Dr. David’s younger brother.
“They demanded N300 million and his widow replied in the background telling them that ‘you’ve killed the person who may have probably been able to get something for you guys,” as mentioned by the source.
“I’m a widow and not a working-class type, how do you expect me to raise that kind of ransom?” she expressed in response to the ransom demand.
The family was further distressed when the abductors confirmed the identity by asking, “Are you the woman whose two boys are here with us?”
After this exchange, the bandits abruptly ended the call and turned off their phone, severing all communication channels.
