Kaduna: Abducted Four Siblings Released, NSA Hands Them Over To Gov

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Not a few Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief when the news of the release of the four Kaduna siblings who were abducted a few days ago filtered in Monday night.

The four siblings, including a two-year old child, were abducted  on November 16, 2024, from their residence  at  Keke Millennium City,  Chikun Local Government of the State when their father left  to see his wife (their mother) who just delivered a set of twin babies but who were sick in hospital.

Their distraught father, Yunusa Sarkin Samarin Keke, on return and confronted by the absence of his children ran to the Police. When the abductors made contacts later, they demanded the sum of N300 million as ransom, and threatened to kill the two year old because, according to them, he was crying constantly. They, also threatened to kill the children if their demand was not met immediately.

However, the abductors later reduced the ransom money from N300m to N25m.

But last night, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani broke the good news of the release of the siblings who he, also, disclosed have been reunited with their parents.

In a post on his verified Facebook account, a relieved and excited Governor Sani said: “We have recorded another feat in our peace efforts in Kaduna State. 4 children kidnapped in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State have been released and handed over to me by  Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.

“I have reunited the children with their parents.

“The release of the children is one of the key outcomes of the peace agreement brokered by the Peace Dialogue Group established by the Kaduna State Government in collaboration  with the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“We were deliberate and strategic in the handling of the peace negotiations. We spent considerable effort in confidence- building.

“We were conscious of the fact that trust deficit is at the root of several failed peace efforts. We were determined to break the jinx despite sustained efforts by conflict entrepreneurs to sabotage the process. And we did.

“Our success in Birnin Gwari is already having trickle effects. The release of the Millennium City, Chikun LG children is a testament to the fact that the Kaduna Peace Model is up and running. It is our hope that thus model will be replicated in North Western States, and by extension, the entire North.”

It was not however disclosed if any ransom was paid, or if the abductors were arrested or not.