Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - Suspected bandits have abducted a veteran photojournalist, Malam Umar Usman Iyale, in Danhonu II community, Millennium City, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Monday, around 9 pm.
Umar was a retired staff member of Africa Independent
Television (AIT), Kaduna Station, and formerly of the Nigerian Television
Authority (NTA), Kaduna.
Sources said the kidnappers carried out the operation
quietly but in a coordinated manner, gaining access to the compound at a time
when some members of the journalist’s family were yet to return home.
It was gathered that the hoodlums demanded money from the
victim, and when he could not provide, they forcefully abducted him to an
unknown destination.
Residents have expressed concern over the safety of Malam
Umar, who was described as elderly and battling health challenges
"He is not someone who can withstand hardship for long.
Everyone here is worried,” a resident said.
Residents called for more decisive and sustained security
action to halt the activities of criminal gangs, despite ongoing efforts under
the Kaduna Peace Model, which they said must be strengthened to address pockets
of kidnapping.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the
incident, saying it has launched an investigation aimed at rescuing the victim
unhurt.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said
the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, had immediately deployed a team
of operatives to track down the abductors and secure the safe release of Malam
Umar.
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