Kaduna Cleric Freed After 2 Months in Abduction; 14-Year-Old Son and Brother-in-Law Still Held Hostage by Bandits

Bandits have released a Kaduna Islamic scholar, Malam Abubakar Mushawy Ibrahim, after two months in captivity, but held his 14-year-old son and brother-in-law.  

Bandits stormed the scholar’s residence in Fondisho, a community along the Kaduna-Zaria highway, and abducted him, his wife, newborn baby, and eldest son on August 9, 2023. 

The incident occurred a day after the scholar’s wife gave birth to their newborn.

A close associate of the scholar, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Daily Trust that the bandits eventually released the wife and the newborn child after a month in captivity.

However, they released the scholar 10 days ago after an undisclosed amount was paid in ransom.

The associate revealed that the scholar was admitted to a hospital for a week for medical attention and was taken care of by his family.

“He was released 10 days ago and was admitted to the hospital for a week before he was discharged. His 14-year-old boy and the wife’s brother, who took the ransom to them, are still being held captive for additional ransom, but we have no more money to give because they have collected everything,” he lamented.

He added that no help from the government came as they went through the ordeal, noting that only relations and friends helped with the ransom paid to free him and his wife.