A Nigerian Politician Pays $15K in Bitcoin to Daughter’s Kidnappers

A Nigerian politician. Dr. Umar Ardo, has paid $15, 000 in Bitcoin to secure the release of her daughter.

Dr. Umar, a member of the lead opposition party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), narrated the ordeal to a local daily saying:

“The kidnapper asked me to pay $15, 000 by bitcoin [..] I told them I don’t know how to do this Bit payment, but the caller insisted I must learn. He said:

‘I will text you our address through which you will go and make the payment; it is up to you to do that; don’t forget the life of your daughter is on the line.’

[..] I got somebody who paid the money through the wallet account. Within an hour, we sent the money and it generated payment evidence which I texted to him [..] By 10:00PM, a call came and I picked and it was my daughter. She said she was at Drumstick at Gwarimpa where I went with family members and picked her.”

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Following the incident, the Stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) has put out an advisory to members to be ‘wary of any person or persons trying to sell Bitcoin or cryptocurrency without Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.”

SiBAN President, Paul Ezeafulukwe said:

“Police and law enforcement agents have beamed their searchlights on bitcoin transactions and cryptocurrencies in general. Do warn friends, staff, colleagues, and others to apply caution in their trades and engage best industry practice henceforth. Spread this message to friends and dealers in crypto.”

 

He advised traders to report transactions in excess of the stipulated amount to relevant authorities.

 

 

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