‘You have 7 days…’: Months after Jharkhand migrant’s abduction in Niger, friend receives a chilling message
Ranchi, July 8, 2025 — A short but chilling message has brought back fear and heartbreak for a family in Jharkhand. Nearly four months after 28-year-old Sunil Kumar was kidnapped in Niger, a friend of his received a WhatsApp message: “You have 7 days…”
Sunil, who migrated from Gumla district in December 2023, went to Niger for work. He joined a construction company in the West African nation, hoping to support his family back home.
The Abduction
In March 2024, Sunil’s phone went silent. His family lost all contact with him. A fellow worker told them that armed men took Sunil from a remote site in the Tillabéri region. That area has seen growing militant activity in recent years.
His family reached out to local leaders, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Indian Embassy in Nigeria. But they received no clear response. Their hope was fading — until this new message arrived.
The Chilling Message
On July 6, 2025, Sunil’s friend Ajay Bhagat received a message on WhatsApp. It came from Sunil’s number. The message read: “You have 7 days to respond. No police. No tricks. Or we end this.”
Along with the text, Ajay received a blurry image. It showed a man, possibly Sunil, blindfolded and surrounded by masked men. Ajay quickly contacted the Indian Embassy in Abuja and alerted Sunil’s family.
Family’s Desperate Plea
In Gumla, Sunil’s father, Ram Lal Oraon, broke down when reporters visited. “We just want our son back alive. That’s all we want,” he said, tears rolling down his face.
Sunil’s younger sister Meena shared that they sold land to pay a local agent who arranged the job. Now, the agent has disappeared and stopped taking their calls.
“We were cheated. Sunil didn’t know it would be dangerous. He trusted them,” she added.
Unsafe Routes and Risky Promises
Sunil’s case highlights a growing problem. Many young men from Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha are recruited by unlicensed agents. These agents promise high-paying jobs in Africa and the Middle East.
But once abroad, workers often face poor conditions, unpaid wages, or worse — abduction and violence.
“These men are being sent to conflict zones without legal protection,” said Dr. Rakesh Menon, a migration expert. “There is no system to track them. When something goes wrong, families are left helpless.”
Limited Government Support
A senior MEA official said they are aware of the message. “We are trying to confirm if Sunil is alive. We’re working with local authorities and our embassy in Nigeria,” the official said.
But officials admit that Niger poses challenges. The country has faced political instability since a military coup in 2023. Armed groups control parts of the country, making rescue efforts harder.
The Indian Embassy in Nigeria is responsible for diplomatic matters in Niger. However, limited reach and security concerns slow down investigations.
Public Pressure Builds
Human rights groups and migrant welfare organizations are demanding action. Meera Kaul, who runs India Migrant Watch, called the message “a wake-up call.”
“If we don’t act now, we could lose another Indian abroad. The government must step in,” she said.
Back in Ranchi, Chief Minister Hemant Soren has written again to the Centre. He requested immediate steps to locate and rescue Sunil.
Counting Down the Days
As the family counts the days, fear grows with every passing hour. The deadline looms large, but there is still no sign of progress.
Meena said, “We just want to hear his voice again. We don’t care about money or jobs. We want our brother back.”
The family spends sleepless nights, waiting for another message. Every ring of the phone brings both hope and dread.
The Bigger Picture
Sunil Kumar’s story isn’t unique. He is one of many Indian workers lost in foreign lands, with families suffering in silence. Their stories often don’t make headlines until it’s too late.
This incident raises tough questions: Why do agents face no accountability? Why are Indian workers being sent to high-risk areas? And why are systems to protect them still missing?
Conclusion
With just days left before the unknown deadline runs out, Sunil’s fate remains uncertain. His family continues to plead for help, and migrant rights groups push for answers.
The Indian government now faces pressure to act — not just to bring Sunil home, but to prevent such tragedies in the future.
