By Milcah Tanimu

Thirteen children who were kidnapped by suspected bandits in the Katari area of Kaduna on January 6, 2024, remain in captivity after 23 days. The bandits attacked a group of relatives, killing a 53-year-old baker, Mr. Tijani Amedu, and abducting the children who were traveling with him back to Kaduna after visiting Warri, Delta State.

Rasaq, the brother of the businessman, confirmed that the children are still with the kidnappers. When asked about police intervention, Rasaq stated, “Nothing, please.”

Recounting the incident, Rasaq explained that the family members learned about the abduction when the children started communicating from captivity. The kidnappers are reportedly demanding N50 million after negotiating down from N200 million.

Zinab, Amedu’s wife, confirmed her husband’s death and pleaded for help, saying, “They killed my husband, and they went away with 13 children. We have 13 of our children with them.”

The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansur Hassan, assured that the command would investigate the matter. However, as of the time of filing the report, there was no update on the investigation.

In a separate incident, kidnappers released Akeem Kareem after he spent about three days in their den along the Benin-Ore Expressway. The release followed the payment of a N3 million ransom to the kidnappers.