The Kaduna family kidnapping has sparked widespread concern after a disturbing video showed a father holding his crying, unclothed baby while an armed man pointed a gun at him. The man, identified as Ahmed Abubakar Zakka, appeared beside his wife and their six-month-old daughter as he pleaded for help.
The footage circulated on social media on October 12, drawing attention to the family’s desperate situation. Zakka appealed to Nigerians and the authorities to help secure their release. He also revealed that the kidnappers were demanding ₦300 million in ransom.
According to reports, armed men abducted Zakka, his wife and their daughter, Fatima, from their home in Alrahus Estate, Millennium City, Kaduna State. The attack occurred on October 6, at about 11:30 p.m., in Chikun Local Government Area.
During the recording, Zakka spoke in Hausa and identified himself before explaining their situation. His wife sat beside him as the baby cried in his arms. Meanwhile, an armed captor kept a gun pointed at him, making the family’s appeal for help even more distressing.
Couple Waited Six Years Before Welcoming Their Daughter
Beyond the disturbing footage, details about the couple’s personal history have deepened public sympathy for their situation.
A relative told reporters that Zakka and his wife had both lost their parents before they married. The couple reportedly spent six years together without a child before welcoming Fatima, their first daughter, six months ago.
The relative also appealed to the authorities to intervene and ensure the family’s safe return. Their story has drawn attention to the emotional toll kidnapping places on victims and their loved ones, particularly when infants become caught in violent attacks.
Furthermore, the Zakka family were not the only victims of the reported raid. Gunmen also abducted a pregnant woman from the same estate during the attack, according to media reports.
Her husband, Abdulkadir Bello, said he was in Abuja when his wife contacted him to report that armed men were trying to force their way into the compound. He reportedly attempted to reach the police but could not get through before contacting the military.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of residents in Millennium City and surrounding communities, where repeated attacks have left families worried about their security.
Atiku, El-Rufai Call for Urgent Intervention
Following the circulation of the video, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the abduction and urged security agencies to act swiftly. He described the incident as a painful reminder of the insecurity affecting Nigerian families.
Atiku also called for the safe release of Zakka, his wife, their daughter and other Nigerians held by kidnappers. He stressed that protecting citizens must remain a major responsibility of the government.
Similarly, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, raised concerns about the incident and called for stronger security measures.
Their reactions have added to growing public demands for more effective operations against kidnapping networks. However, residents need practical results, including the rescue of victims, improved emergency responses and measures to prevent further attacks.
Kaduna Kidnapping Raises Fresh Security Concerns
The abduction has renewed scrutiny of security conditions in Millennium City, particularly as residents continue to face the threat of armed attacks and ransom demands.
The Kaduna family kidnapping also highlights the vulnerability of families in residential communities, where attackers can invade homes and take several people in a single operation.
As the family’s relatives appeal for assistance, attention remains focused on efforts to secure their release. The reported ₦300 million ransom demand has added another layer of uncertainty to their ordeal.
As of the latest reports published on October 13, 2026, there was no confirmed public announcement that Zakka, his wife and their baby had been released. Their family and concerned Nigerians continue to call for urgent intervention.
The incident underscores the need for stronger protection of vulnerable communities and a coordinated response to kidnapping. Above all, the immediate priority remains securing the safe return of the couple, their infant daughter and every other person still held captive.