Photojournalist, others abducted in Kaduna community
Police
Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna
Armed bandits have reportedly kidnapped a veteran photojournalist, Malam Umar Usman Iyale, and several other residents in a community popularly known as Danhonu II in Millennium City, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
Millennium community is within the radius where two journalists and their families were kidnapped penultimate last two year but later released, sending renewed fear down the spine of residents in the area.
Malam Umar, a retired staff member of Africa Independent Television (AIT), Kaduna Station, and formerly of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Kaduna, was allegedly abducted from his residence at about 9:00 p.m. on Monday, according to community sources.
Residents said the gunmen 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 had yet to return home.
A community source said the attackers demanded money from the victim and, when he could not provide any, forcefully whisked him away to an unknown destination.
The abduction has heightened anxiety in Danhonu II, with residents expressing concern over the safety of Malam Umar, who was described as elderly and battling health challenges.
Kaduna State Police Command is however yet to issue any known statement in respect of the incident occurred Monday, according to neighborhood residents.
