Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kaduna North Federal Constituency lawmaker Mohammed Bello El-Rufai have called for urgent action following the abduction of Ahmed Abubakar Zakka, his wife and their infant daughter in Kaduna State.
The abducted man has appealed to Nigerians for assistance in securing the family’s release after their captors reportedly demanded N300 million in ransom.
A video circulating on X on Monday showed Zakka sitting beside his wife while holding their young child. An armed man, whose face was concealed, pointed a rifle at Zakka’s head and threatened to shoot him.
The family was reportedly kidnapped from their residence in Millennium City, Kaduna State.
Speaking in Hausa in the video, Zakka said the abduction occurred at about 11 pm. He appealed to the public to help the family, saying the ransom demand was beyond his means.
“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 man was also seen threatening to shoot Zakka in the hand or head, while his wife pleaded for help.
Reacting to the video in a post on his X handle on Monday, Atiku described the footage as “disturbing,” saying it underscored the persistent insecurity threatening lives and separating families across the country.
The former vice president said no Nigerian should have to plead for their life while in the hands of criminals. He also expressed concern over the involvement of an infant in the ordeal and urged security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the family and others still being held captive.
His post read, “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.
