KADUNA (North-West, Nigeria) — A veteran photojournalist, Malam Umar Usman Iyale, has been abducted by suspected bandits in Danhonu II community, Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, triggering renewed fear and tension among residents.
The incident has also refreshened memories of the July 2024 abduction of two journalists from the same community — the current Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspaper, and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspaper — who were kidnapped alongside members of their families.
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Malam Umar, a retired staff member of Africa Independent Television (AIT), Kaduna Station, and formerly of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Kaduna, was reportedly taken from his residence at about 9:00pm on Monday, according to community sources.
Residents said the assailants carried out the operation quietly but in a coordinated manner, gaining access to the compound at a time when some members of the journalist’s family were not yet at home.
A community source disclosed that the gunmen initially demanded money from the victim and, upon discovering he had none, forcibly whisked him away to an unknown destination.
The abduction has heightened anxiety in the area, particularly due to Malam Umar’s age and health condition. Residents described him as elderly and battling health challenges.
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“He is not someone who can withstand hardship for long. Everyone here is deeply worried about his safety,” a resident said.
Another community leader lamented what he described as a recurring wave of kidnappings in the area, noting that repeated attacks have forced many residents and landlords to abandon their homes, thereby stalling development in the community.
Residents called on security agencies to take more decisive and sustained action to halt the activities of criminal gangs, stressing that ongoing efforts under the Kaduna Peace Model must be strengthened to address persistent pockets of kidnapping.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the incident, assuring the public that efforts are underway to rescue the abducted journalist.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, had immediately deployed a team of operatives to track the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of Malam Umar Usman Iyale.
“We are making concerted efforts to rescue the victim unhurt,” the police spokesman said.
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