13 Abducted Kaduna Children Still in Captivity 23 Days After

Thirteen children abducted by suspected bandits in the Katari area of Kaduna on January 6, 2024, have been in captivity for 23 days

The bandits allegedly killed a 53-year-old baker named Mr. Tijani Amedu and abducted 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.

On Sunday, Rasaq, the brother of the Edo State-born businessman, mentioned, “They are still with the kidnappers.”

When asked what the police had done concerning the matter, he said, “Nothing please.”

While narrating how the incident happened over a week ago, Rasaq said, “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.”

He conveyed that the family learned about the situation when the children began communicating from their captivity.

The family reports that the kidnappers are seeking N50m, having negotiated down from an initial demand of N200m.

“My elder brother’s head was hit and he fell (leading to his death),” Rasaq said, according to the information given to him by the children, adding, “They started (the ransom) negotiation from N200m, but now, we’re at N50m.”

Zinab, Amedu’s wife, who confirmed her husband’s death, stated that the family is seeking assistance on the matter.

“They killed my husband and they went away with 13 children,” Zinab earlier told our correspondent in a telephone interview, adding that the family was seeking “prayers and help from anybody who can help. We have 13 of our children with them.”

Upon contact on Sunday about the incident, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansur Hassan, affirmed an investigation, stating, “We will investigate and get back to you.” As of the report’s filing, the PPRO had not yet responded.

Akeem Kareem was freed by kidnappers last week after spending about three days in their den.
He had been abducted along the Benin-Ore Expressway.

Sefiu, Kareem’s son, confirmed that his father was released after paying a ransom of N3m to the kidnappers

Kanyi Daily recalls that despite the efforts of security operatives to address the worsening security crisis in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, killings and abductions of residents persist