The abduction of thirteen children by suspected bandits in the Katari area of Kaduna on January 6, 2024, has resulted in them spending 23 days in captivity.
Tragically, the bandits killed Mr. Tijani Amedu, a 53-year-old baker, and took his 13 relatives, mainly children, who were traveling with him in the Katari area of the state.
The incident occurred as the victims were returning to Kaduna after visiting Warri, Delta State.
In a conversation on Sunday, Amedu’s brother, Rasaq, confirmed that the children are still being held by the kidnappers.
When asked about police intervention in the matter, he expressed frustration by stating, “Nothing please.”
Recounting the harrowing incident that took place over a week ago, Rasaq explained, “They came to visit for the Christmas and New Year holidays. But they got attacked by bandits when they were going back to Kaduna, using two buses. I was told the bandits started shooting on seeing them. The first bus drove through them but the second bus stopped. My elder brother and the 13 kids were on the second bus. The bandits took all of them.”
The family members were informed about the abduction when the children managed to make contact from their captivity. The kidnappers are demanding N50m as ransom after negotiating down from N200m.
“My elder brother’s head was hit and he fell (leading to his death),” Rasaq recounted the information provided by the children, adding, “They started (the ransom) negotiation from N200m, but now, we’re at N50m.”
Zinab, Amedu’s wife, confirmed her husband’s death and appealed for assistance.
When contacted on Sunday, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansur Hassan, assured that the command would investigate. He stated, “We will investigate and get back to you,” before ending the call. As of the time of reporting, no further update had been received.
In a separate incident last week, kidnappers released Akeem Kareem after holding him captive for about three days following his abduction along the Benin-Ore Expressway.
Confirming his release, Kareem’s son, Sefiu, mentioned that his father was set free after the payment of N3m ransom to the kidnappers.
