Kidnappers seized my daughter after withdrawing N23,000 from ATM in Lagos - Mother

Source: Punch Newspapers
Author: Temitope Adetunji

Lagos trader Mrs. Stella Timothy, in this interview with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI, shares the harrowing ordeal of her 14-year-old daughter, Princess Halimat Tajudeen, who disappeared after assisting her in withdrawing N23,000 from an ATM, narrates how her daughter was eventually freed without the family having to pay the N5m ransom demanded by the kidnappers

When was your daughter released?

My daughter was kidnapped on Wednesday, 24th April 2024, at 5:15 pm in Surulere, Aguda, Lagos.

She returned from school and came to my shop where I sell biscuits, pure water, and sweets for children. After school, I asked her to go to Fidelity Bank, just a street away, to withdraw money using my ATM card. Around 6:35 pm, I received the alert confirming the withdrawal. I expected her back shortly after, but as time passed beyond 7 pm, I grew uneasy.

Assuming she might have gone home first, I went there and searched, calling her name, but she wasn't there. Neighbours hadn't seen her either. I hurried to the ATM stand at the bank and returned to my shop, but she was nowhere to be found. I checked with her classmates, who last saw her at school. We searched extensively that night.

At 10 pm, I reported her missing to the police, who asked me to return after 24 hours. The next day, they assigned an Investigating Police Officer to my case, but progress was slow.

Before 1st May 2024, the kidnappers called demanding N5 million, which I couldn't pay. They called again, reducing the demand to one million naira, but I explained my financial situation, having just sent my daughter to withdraw money. They hung up.

Three days later, on 1st May 2024, I received a call from my daughter herself, weakly saying, "Mummy, I'm here, come and pick me up." I asked where she was, and a Hausa man answered, saying Ojodu Berger. They had left her on the bridge.

Shaken, I nearly fainted, but family members went to pick her up. I confirmed it was her over the phone, and though relieved, I couldn't go myself due to shock. She needed immediate medical attention upon her return.

Was she taken to the hospital immediately?

I instructed them to take her to any nearby hospital, but they informed me that there was no hospital in the area. They had to transport her to a hospital in Ajegunle, where she received adequate treatment. I thank God she was unharmed, although she mentioned she was not poorly fed. She was kept tied up.

That was how I was reunited with my daughter, although before that, the police had taken money from me. They asked for money to trace the phone number.

You mentioned in the first interview that you reported the case to the police. What feedback did you receive before your daughter was released?

As the kidnappers were calling me, I kept updating the police. They demanded money, which they said was necessary for their operations, but I thank God that my daughter was alive after everything. The police did not assist in any way. I provided them with my details and phone number on the first day, but they did not contact me until I found my daughter. I had to go to them regularly to update them on the situation. However, I remember one policewoman telling me that if I couldn't go somewhere, I should inform them, and they would go on my behalf.

How fortunate do you consider yourself that the kidnappers didn't collect ransom?

It was my prayer that was answered. As a matter of fact, God decided to show me mercy during that period when I was hearing all sorts of stories. Some would come and say they killed someone after the family paid ransom. I just say it's God who did this for me. I know it's rare for kidnappers to release someone without collecting ransom. It's a miracle that I cannot forget quickly, and I appreciate the people around me -- the pastors, the school principal, and even strangers. Calls were coming into my phone at every interval.

How long did she spend in the hospital?

She spent three days in the hospital. When we arrived, they demanded N50,000 before they could attend to her, so we deposited the money. When she was discharged, we paid the balance. They treated her and conducted many tests. She was unconscious, and yet she said they didn't give her any injections. The trauma is still there because I can't imagine my daughter going out alone. We now take her to school and bring her back because the trauma persists.

How is your daughter coping emotionally after the incident?

It has not been easy for her. We ensure she's not alone, and we are always with her. She said they didn't do anything to her -- didn't touch or molest her -- and I'm grateful to God for that. She mentioned that the people's faces were scary and they blindfolded her after taking her to the location where she was held for weeks. On the morning they returned her, they blindfolded her again and put her in a car so she wouldn't recognise the area or know where she was taken. She said she could only recognise one person, who was tall and stared at her whenever he opened the door. On other days, they tied her hands and legs while blindfolded.

Have you and your daughter received any psychological professional help or counselling?

No, because I don't have the funds for it at the moment. So, there hasn't been any psychological treatment or counselling yet.

You mentioned earlier that you are a single mother. Are you still in contact with her father?

Yes, I am. When we were searching for her, we were all involved in the effort. I'm still in contact with him, and he came to see her at my place when she was released, despite our long separation.

How has this experience changed your life and perspective on life and safety?

It has changed my life in the sense that as parents, we should be careful where we send our children. For example, at that time, people blamed me and asked why I sent her to the ATM stand. But I told them, this wasn't the first time I sent her on an errand to help me withdraw money. We had gone together before, and sometimes when I couldn't go, I sent her there. Now, I've learned that as parents, we should be mindful of the errands we send our children on. What we can handle may not always be safe for them.

Have you received any support from friends, family, and the community regarding emotional or financial support?

No, not really. I didn't receive any financial support, even when they called me demanding ransom. I was living in a public compound, and my neighbours suggested going door-to-door in our street to collect money to raise the demanded five million. They offered to help this way, but it didn't happen eventually. I didn't receive any support.

Would you say social media and public awareness played a role in your daughter's release?

Yes, social media played a role. The issue went viral, and it was covered on blogs. My brother-in-law helped me reach out to blogs, and PUNCH did an interview with me, which helped in creating awareness. So, I would say that social media played a significant role in spreading the news and aiding in her release.

Looking back, is there anything you thought you could have done differently?

Yes, I would have gone to the bank myself. I keep asking God to show me mercy for allowing her to go to the bank and to bring her back to me alive.

What advice would you give parents who might find themselves in a similar situation?

It's inevitable to have a child and send them on errands, but I advise parents to be mindful of the errands they send their children. We know there's no security in Nigeria and things are happening, so we should be more cautious.

How has this experience impacted your view on law enforcement and government response to kidnapping?

In my case, the government needs to tighten security. A few weeks after my daughter was taken away, I went to the bank and told them I wanted to see their manager. They asked why, and I explained that my daughter was kidnapped on their premises. They immediately took me to the manager, but that meeting did not provide much solution. We need better security in this country. The government should enforce better security measures for citizens because the bank is just a street away, and there have been other incidents like this since then. So, security needs to be improved. Imagine the police not calling me even after taking money from me and telling me that if there's any update, I should call them. They said they needed to publicise the issue on radio and TV, and they needed fuel for their patrol van. Security is not tight in Nigeria, and law enforcement bodies aren't performing well.

What are your plans for your daughter's recovery and well-being?

I have many plans for her, but I'm financially constrained. I intend to change her school, even to a private one, although she was part of the children who got a scholarship. She passed the exam in 2020, and we were waiting for them to call us back, but we didn't hear from them again. As a single mother, I can only do my best to give her a good life and take care of her.