Ehud Avni, kidnapped in Nigeria in 2008
Photo: Tzvika Tischler
Israeli woman held hostage in Nigeria for a week
Woman kidnapped by armed Muslim gang, kept hostage for full week under tough conditions. Kidnappers demand $50,000, but eventually settle for much less. Woman's sons pay ransom securing her release
An Israeli woman was kidnapped in Nigeria by armed Muslims and was kept hostage for a week, until her sons paid a ransom of several hundred dollars which led to her release.
The woman, in her late 50s, has been residing in recent years both in Nigeria and in Israel and has family members in both countries. The affair was kept secret by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli Embassy in Nigeria, and the woman's family.
It appears the woman was kidnapped two weeks ago while riding a vehicle with a Nigerian Supreme Court female judge. Shortly after the kidnapping, the abductors, belonging to a local criminal gang, decided to release the judge and hold on to the Israeli woman.
The kidnappers demanded in exchange for her release a ransom of $50,000 and threatened to kill her should the sum not be paid. The woman's sons negotiated with the kidnappers, while also keeping in touch with official Israeli elements. An embassy representative even ventured out to the kidnapping location in southern Nigeria and stayed in contact with the local authorities.
During negotiations the kidnappers surprisingly agreed to lower their demands and eventually settled for a ransom amounting to only several thousand dollars. The woman's sons arrived in Nigeria with the ransom and upon its payment, the mother was released.
It appears the woman suffered considerably during her captivity, however she was not physically harmed by her abductors. After her release she returned to Israel with her children and is currently recuperating.
This marks the third time in the past year where an Israeli citizen is kidnapped in Africa. In September 2008 businessman Ehud Avni was abducted in the city of Port Harcourt in Nigeria by armed Muslims who kept him captive for five days. A month later, Israeli businessman Dror Weinestein was kidnapped in Ghana and released 10 days later. In both cases ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
