A couple abducted alongside their six-month-old daughter from their residence in Millennium City, Kaduna State, has appealed to security agencies to secure their release.
The appeal was made in a 40-second video that circulated online showing Ahmed Abubakar Zakka holding the infant while his wife sat beside him, with a gun pointed at him.
Zakka and his family were abducted on Oct. 6 when gunmen attacked Alrahus Estate in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, at about 11:30 p.m., according to residents.
Speaking in Hausa in the video, Zakka said his captors were demanding 300 million naira in ransom.
“My name is Ahmed Abubakar Zakka. I’m seeking assistance. I was abducted on Monday around 11:30 pm, myself, my wife and our daughter at Millennium City. Please, we are seeking assistance because they are demanding N300 million,” he said.
Police said a pregnant woman was also abducted during the attack. Her husband, Abdulkadir Bello, who was in Abuja at the time, said the gunmen later contacted him to demand ransom.
The incident comes days after bandits killed a man identified as Sikiru and abducted his wife, their 14-year-old son and six others in the nearby PW Babban Saura area. Residents said his wife and son remain in captivity.
A family member who asked not to be named said Zakka and his wife were both orphans who were married for six years before welcoming their daughter six months ago.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in a post on Facebook on Monday, urged security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the family and others held captive, describing the video as a painful reminder of insecurity.
The Kaduna State police command said on Monday it had arrested 12 people, including eight suspected kidnappers and four alleged informants, during operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido. It said AK-47 rifles were recovered.
Spokesman DSP Mansir Hassan said preliminary investigations showed two suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information about police operations to criminal elements.
Amnesty International Nigeria said in a post on X that armed groups were operating freely in the area, adding that residents were living in fear.
Police Commissioner Muhammad Rabiu said additional tactical personnel and three armoured personnel carriers provided by the state government had been deployed to the area.