The man pleaded that the bandits give him N100,000 out of the money he was handing over to them as ransom.

The gang asked him why.

"I promised my friend that I'll give him one hundred thousand out of my retirement benefits to start a business."

The bandits looked at each other and asked him who that friend was.

He told them.

They looked at each other again and broke the news:

It was the same friend who gave them information that he, their current victim, was expecting his retirement benefits.

Later, they brought the friend before the man and handed him a gun. They ordered him to pull the trigger.

The man refused.

They shot the friend and handed the man his bag of money.

Go home, they said.

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Nathaniel Bivan/A Reporter's Diary

Be careful of people but don't be afraid of friendship.

Photo: A room in a kidnap victim's home

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