A kidnapped Kaduna man, Ahmed Abubakar Zakka, has appealed for help after gunmen abducted him, his wife and their infant daughter, demanding N300m for their release.
This came as a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in a post via his X handle on Monday, called for the release of the kidnapped victims.
In a video circulating on X on Monday, Zakka was seen with his wife beside him, while he held their child closely.
The family was reportedly abducted from their residence in Millennium City, Kaduna State.
An unidentified gunman whose face was hidden in the video and whose location couldn’t be determined as of the time of writing this report pointed a rifle at Zakka’s head, threatening to shoot him.
Speaking in Hausa, Zakka said he, his wife and daughter were abducted at about 11 pm on Monday.
He appealed to Nigerians for help, saying the kidnappers were demanding N300m for their release.
“They are requesting 300 million, and I don’t even know how to come by that money. Please, Nigerians should come to our aid for the sake of Allah,” he said.
In the video, the gunman threatened to shoot Zakka in the hand or head, while his wife pleaded for help.
Reacting to the incident, the former VP described the video as “disturbing” and said the incident indicates that insecurity is a threat to Nigerians.
He lamented that no Nigerian citizen should plead to live in the hands of any criminal, as he called on security operatives to secure the release of Zakka and his family, and anyone held in captivity.
The tweet read, “The disturbing video of Ahmed Zakka, reportedly abducted alongside his wife and infant child in Kaduna State, is a painful reminder of the insecurity that continues to threaten lives and tear families apart across Nigeria.
“No Nigerian should have to plead for their life or the safety of their family in the hands of criminals. The thought of an infant caught in this ordeal is especially heartbreaking. I urge the relevant security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to secure the safe release of Ahmed Zakka, his wife, their child, and every other Nigerian still held in captivity.
“This tragedy comes as families are already struggling with the crushing cost of living. Nigerians are battling the rising cost of food, transport and other essentials; they should not also have to live in fear of being abducted in their homes or on the roads. Insecurity deepens hardship, disrupts livelihoods and leaves families bearing both emotional and financial burdens they can scarcely afford.”
Abubakar urged the government to “move beyond assurances and deliver an effective, sustained response: rescue those in captivity, protect vulnerable communities and dismantle the networks responsible for these crimes. Every Nigerian deserves to live, work and raise a family without the constant fear of violence.”
Also, the lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, in a statement issued on Monday, expressed his concern about the incident.
He noted that such occurrences are “unacceptable and demand urgent, decisive action,: saying that no resident needed to live in fear.
“I am deeply concerned by the recurring kidnappings in Millennium City, particularly around Dan Bushiya. These incidents are unacceptable and demand urgent, decisive action. No resident should live in fear of being abducted in their own home or community. We cannot allow kidnapping to become normalised in Kaduna, especially in the heart of our metropolis,” he stated.
The Kaduna lawmaker urged the Kaduna State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and all relevant security agencies to “intensify operations, strengthen intelligence gathering and ensure the immediate rescue of those abducted.
“The latest being the family of Ahmad Zakka, including himself, his wife and their infant daughter. Shame. There must also be sustained measures to prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The situation requires urgent attention, not only to secure Dan Bushiya and Millennium City but also to protect neighbouring communities, including Malali and Unguwan Rimi, from further threats. Our people deserve more than expressions of concern; they deserve tangible results.
“The security of our people is non-negotiable. We must not surrender our communities to criminals or allow families to live at the mercy of kidnappers. May Allah protect our people and grant the safe return of all those in captivity.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassam, said he would revert to our correspondent on the matter.
“I will get back to you,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, he has yet to respond to the messages sent to his mobile number.