Kaduna Family Freed After Nine Days of Kidnapping Ordeal

Ahmed Abubakar Zakka, his wife, and their six-month-old daughter, Fatima, regained their freedom on October 15, 2026, after being abducted from their home in Alrahus Estate, Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on October 6. The family was taken at approximately 11:30 PM, and their release came after nine days in captivity.

Reports indicated that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N300 million, a sum that is beyond the financial capacity of most families. A video of the family in captivity circulated on social media, showing Zakka holding his crying daughter while an armed man threatened him.

The couple had been married for six years before the birth of their daughter, making their situation particularly distressing for relatives. The abduction is part of a troubling trend in the area, with other incidents reported, including the abduction of a pregnant woman from a neighboring compound.

The Kaduna State Police Command stated on October 12 that it had intensified security operations in response to the rising kidnappings.