Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kaduna North federal lawmaker Mohammed Bello El-Rufai have called for urgent security intervention following the abducption of Ahmed Abubakar Zakka, his wife and their infant daughter in Kaduna State.
The family was reportedly abducted from Alrahus Estate in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, on October 5, 2026, with their captors demanding ₦300 million for their release.
The incident came to wider public attention on Monday, October 12, after a disturbing video circulated on social media showing the family in captivity, with an armed man pointing a rifle at Zakka’s head and threatening to shoot him.
In the footage, Zakka is seen holding his young daughter while his wife sits beside him, pleading for help. Speaking in Hausa, he appealed to Nigerians to assist in securing their freedom, saying the ransom demand was beyond his financial capacity.
“They are requesting 300 million, and I don’t even know how to come by that money. Please, Nigerians should come to our aid for the sake of Allah,” he said.
The armed captor also threatened to shoot Zakka in the hand or head as his wife continued pleading for their lives. The precise location where the video was recorded could not be independently established from the footage.
According to reports, the abduction occurred amid recurring attacks on residential communities around Millennium City. However, the circumstances of the incident and the identities of the perpetrators have yet to be independently established in full.
Atiku Calls for Swift Security Intervention
Reacting to the video in a post on X on Monday, Atiku described the footage as disturbing and urged security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the family and other Nigerians held captive.
“The disturbing video of Ahmed Zakka, reportedly abducted alongside his wife and infant child in Kaduna State, is a painful reminder of the insecurity that continues to threaten lives and tear families apart across Nigeria,” he said.
The former vice president condemned the situation in which citizens are forced to plead for their lives while in the custody of armed criminals, particularly highlighting the distress of an infant caught in the ordeal.
He also linked the worsening insecurity to the economic difficulties confronting households, arguing that citizens should not have to contend with the fear of abduction while struggling with the rising cost of food, transportation and other essential commodities.
Atiku urged the government to move beyond assurances and implement a sustained security response focused on rescuing captives, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling the criminal networks responsible for kidnappings.
He called for the safe return of Zakka, his wife and their daughter, as well as other Nigerians still being held by kidnappers.
El-Rufai Raises Alarm Over Recurring Kidnappings
Similarly, El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, called for intensified security operations following repeated abductions in Millennium City, particularly around the Dan Bushiya area.
In a statement issued on Monday, the lawmaker described the recurring incidents as unacceptable and demanded urgent, decisive action from the Kaduna State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
He urged security authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, intensify operations and ensure the immediate rescue of those abducted.
“The latest being the family of Ahmad Zakka, including himself, his wife and their infant daughter. Shame. There must also be sustained measures to prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice,” El-Rufai said.
The lawmaker also called for measures to protect neighbouring communities, including Malali and Unguwan Rimi, warning that residents must not be left at the mercy of kidnappers.
He stressed that expressions of concern must be matched by concrete security measures to prevent further attacks and restore public confidence.
Amnesty International Warns of Worsening Insecurity
The latest abduction has further heightened concerns about the security situation in Millennium City and surrounding communities.
In a report published on Monday, Amnesty International warned of escalating attacks and abductions in the area, citing the August 19 attack on the Kyauta community, during which gunmen reportedly abducted more than a dozen people.
The organisation said repeated attacks had left residents living in fear, with some reportedly organising local vigilante groups while others considered leaving their homes for safer locations.
Amnesty International also raised concerns about the impact of the insecurity on everyday life, including disruptions to children’s education and the safety of residents.
The rights organisation called attention to the continuing threat posed by killings and abductions, urging authorities to improve civilian protection and address the persistent insecurity affecting communities in Kaduna State.
Police Announce Arrests Amid Security Crackdown
Separately, the Kaduna State Police Command announced the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and four suspected informants following security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido.
According to a statement attributed to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, the operations also led to the recovery of AK-47 rifles.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that two of the suspected informants had allegedly admitted leaking information about police operations to criminal elements. Investigations were continuing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other possible accomplices.
The command also disclosed that additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources had been deployed to affected areas. The Kaduna State Government reportedly released three additional armoured personnel carriers to strengthen police operations.
The police said the operations would continue, with the aim of dismantling criminal networks, disrupting kidnapping activities and facilitating the rescue of victims.
However, no publicly confirmed information established whether the arrests or security deployments were directly connected to the abduction of Zakka and his family.
The fate of the abducted family and the status of efforts to secure their release remained unclear in reports available as of Monday, October 12.
The incident has renewed calls for coordinated security action to protect residents of Millennium City and neighbouring communities from further attacks and bring those responsible for the abductions to justice.