Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has promised to provide a house for Ahmed Abubakar Zakka, his wife and their six-month-old daughter, Fatima, following their release by kidnappers Governor Uba Sani promised to buy a house for the rescued couple and their daughter to help them rebuild their lives after their ordeal. The governor made the promise when he visited the family at an undisclosed hospital, where they are receiving medical attention following their release. He said the gesture was part of his administration’s policy of supporting victims of kidnapping and banditry and helping affected families recover from their experiences.
“As a policy of our government, we always focus on the safety of our people. We also try as much as possible to support the families of victims of banditry and kidnapping in the state,” he said. Uba Sani said his administration had previously bought houses for some victims of banditry and would extend the support to Ahmed and his family. “Since we came in, we have been able to buy houses and resettle people, particularly victims of banditry. Only recently, if you could recall, we were able to provide houses for some of the victims.
“Today again, having seen what happened to Ahmed and our daughter, Fatima, we believe that, considering the trauma they have gone through, the Kaduna State Government will also buy a house for the family and settle them within the town,” he said. The governor added that the government would continue to support victims of kidnapping and banditry, including providing psychosocial care to help them cope with the trauma. He said the provision of a house was part of efforts to help the rescued family rebuild their lives after their experience in captivity.
“We believe that, despite having been able to get doctors to provide them with adequate psychosocial therapy, it is also important to continue our policy of supporting victims of kidnapping and banditry in Kaduna State. Meanwhile, Hafsat Sikiru, wife of late Sikiru Shuaibu, the man killed by bandits, and her son, Abdulsalam, remain in captivity. They were among residents of Babban Saura community abducted by bandits on October 1. The late Sikiru was reportedly killed when the bandits invaded his house, while his wife, son and other residents were taken away. They were abducted about five days before Ahmed, his wife and their six-month-old daughter were kidnapped.
A family member of the late Sikiru, who pleaded for anonymity, appealed to the relevant authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of their relatives still being held by the abductors. The family member urged the government and security agencies to extend similar attention to the remaining victims and ensure their safe return.