Abducted Kaduna cleric freed after two-month

Bandits recently set free Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Malam Abubakar Mushawy Ibrahim, after holding him captive for a harrowing two months. However, the scholar’s 14-year-old eldest son and brother-in-law are still being held by the bandits.

Daily Trust reported that the bandits forcibly invaded the scholar’s residence in Fondisho, a community located along the Kaduna-Zaria highway, where they abducted him, his wife, newborn baby, and eldest son on August 9, 2023.

The abduction took place just a day after the scholar’s wife gave birth to their newborn, adding to the distressing circumstances.

A close associate of the scholar, who chose to remain anonymous, disclosed that the bandits released the scholar around 10 days ago following an undisclosed ransom payment. Tragically, the son and brother-in-law remain in captivity.

The associate further revealed that the scholar’s wife and the newborn child were released by the bandits after spending a month in captivity. Post-release, the scholar was admitted to a hospital for a week, receiving necessary medical care and support from his family during this trying time.

“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.