Kidnappers Demand ₦1 Billion Ransom for Abducted Chinese and Nigerian Colleague in Kwara
Gunmen who abducted a Chinese expatriate and his Nigerian colleague at a Kwara mining site have demanded a shocking ₦1 billion ransom for their release.
The attack left two policemen dead, triggering a massive manhunt as security forces race against time to rescue the kidnapped victims.
Kidnappers who seized a Chinese national, Mr. Sam Xie Wie, and his Nigerian associate, Mr. David Adenaiye, in Kwara State have reportedly demanded a staggering ₦1 billion ransom for their release. The demand was made just days after a deadly attack on a mining site that claimed the lives of two policemen.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at a mining site in the state, where the two men were working. Armed men stormed the facility and abducted the expatriate and his colleague. The attack was brutal, resulting in the deaths of two officers of the Police Mobile Force who were deployed to provide security for the site and its personnel.
Fresh information obtained on Friday revealed that the kidnappers reached out using one of the victims’ mobile phones to place a call to an associate identified as Mr. Leo Liang. During the call, they issued their ransom demand and insisted that the payment must be made promptly to guarantee the safe release of the abducted individuals.
Sources familiar with the situation say that the criminals appeared to be well-coordinated and possibly familiar with the mining operation, raising concerns that the attack may have been premeditated. Mr. Liang, who is believed to be a business associate of the victims, is said to have immediately alerted security officials and other stakeholders once he received the distressing call.
The kidnapping has sparked serious concern within both local and international circles, particularly given the rise in abductions targeting expatriates and business professionals across various parts of Nigeria. The incident further highlights the risks faced by foreign nationals working in Nigeria’s resource-rich but volatile mining regions.
Security agencies, including the Nigerian Police and local vigilante groups, have since launched a joint search-and-rescue operation to locate and recover the victims safely. Authorities are said to be combing the forests and surrounding communities in and around the mining site, though progress has been largely undisclosed to avoid compromising the ongoing mission.
The Kwara State Police Command has yet to release an official statement on the status of the victims or confirm whether negotiations are underway. However, an officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said efforts are being intensified to track the criminals and secure the hostages’ release without further harm.
Community leaders in the affected area have also expressed deep concern over the rising insecurity, calling on government authorities to urgently intervene and tighten security around industrial sites in the region. Some residents say the frequency of attacks in rural communities is driving fear among locals and discouraging much-needed investment.
Meanwhile, families of the abducted men are reportedly distraught, with sources noting that both victims have spouses and children who are anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. The Chinese embassy is also believed to have been informed and is monitoring developments closely.
As the manhunt continues, the authorities are urging anyone with credible information about the kidnappers or the location of the victims to come forward. The public is also being advised to remain calm and allow the security agencies to carry out their duties.
This latest abduction serves as another grim reminder of the challenges Nigeria faces in combating kidnapping-for-ransom operations, particularly in remote areas where security infrastructure remains weak.
