We paid N120m and not N100m as ransom to Wadume — Victim’s family

Contrary to earlier reports that kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Wadume, received N100 million as ransom for the release of Usman Mayo, the victim’s family said they parted with a princely N120 million.
This came to light following the sighting of the petition of the family of the victim to the Inspector General of Police, which led to the investigation of Wadume.
The petition, signed by Sheriff Umar of Kirikinua South Local Government Area of Kaduna State in March 2019, said Mayo, his cousin, was kidnapped on February 15, 2019 in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Umar said the kidnapper demanded for N200 million as ransom.
After negotiation, N85 million was paid to the kidnappers on March 11, 2019, but they refused to release Mayo, Umar said.
He said they paid an additional N15 million on March 16, 2019, but Mayo was still not released, with the kidnappers insisting that the family must pay the N200 million they initially demanded.
This forced the family to call for the intervention of the IGP, who then drafted operatives of his Special Intelligence Response Team, led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, to track Wadume.
While investigation was on, the kidnappers again got in touch with Mayo’s family, who released another N20 million, following which Mayo was released.
But by then, the IRT had established Wadume’s link with the kidnap.