48 days after, abducted Kaduna village leader’s son, others remain in captivity

Barely 48 days after bandits invaded the house of the Mai Anguwar of Gadan-Azara in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State, Alhaji Ismaila Ayuba, and abducted three family members, the captors have insisted on a N20 million ransom for their release. The victims—Ayuba’s younger brother, Aliyu Ayuba; his eldest son, Hamisu Ismaila; and a three-year-old boy […]

Barely 48 days after bandits invaded the house of the Mai Anguwar of Gadan-Azara in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State, Alhaji Ismaila Ayuba, and abducted three family members, the captors have insisted on a N20 million ransom for their release.

The victims—Ayuba’s younger brother, Aliyu Ayuba; his eldest son, Hamisu Ismaila; and a three-year-old boy identified as Haruna—remain in captivity.

A community leader from the area, who spoke via telephone to our reporter on Thursday, disclosed that the bandits have refused to release the victims despite ongoing negotiations.

He said the family has been pleading for a reduction in the ransom, but the bandit leader has refused to lower the amount to an affordable level.

A relative of the victims has been mediating with the bandits since the abduction on January 9, 2026.

However, the community leader noted that the kidnappers are standing their ground.

“On Wednesday, at about 11 am, the negotiator informed me that the bandits insisted they would not shift ground until the N20 million is paid in full,” he said.

According to the source, the family has sold properties and farm crops to raise N4 million, but the bandits have refused to accept the amount, reiterating their demand for the full N20 million.

The community leader called on security operatives in the area to come to the aid of the family and ensure the victims are rescued, noting that those in captivity are facing serious health challenges.

It would be recalled that on January 9, 2026, bandits invaded the house of the leader of Gadan-Azara community  in an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap him. Instead, the attackers whisked away his son, his brother, and a three-year-old boy.

The police in the area had earlier confirmed the attack.

Police source also confirmed on Thursday that the victims were yet to regain their freedom.