Between January 6 and 7, gunmen abducted approximately 85 individuals, including travelers and locals, at Katari along the Kaduna–Abuja highways in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The incident resulted in the deaths of four people. Families of the abducted victims are reportedly seeking financial assistance from the Nigerian public to meet the N50 million ransom demanded by the terrorists.
While the Kaduna State Police Command acknowledged a heavy gun duel with bandits attempting to cross the Kaduna-Abuja highway, they denied any kidnapping. According to Mansir Hassan, the command’s spokesman, during the clash at Dogon Fili area towards Jere axis on January 6th, some bandits escaped with bullet wounds, injuring six individuals on the highway. Despite the police denial of abductions, families insist that nine children from Alhaji Ibrahim Sadoh and Alhaji Abdulwahab Abubakar’s families were among those taken.
In a viral WhatsApp message, the families communicated that the terrorists had contacted them, demanding a N50 million ransom for the release of the abducted children. The message emphasized that the children, while distressed, were unharmed, as confirmed during conversations with their parents. Seeking urgent action for their release, the families have initiated fundraising efforts, sharing account details and contacts for public support.
