Bandits Reportedly K!ll Two, ∆bduct Governorship Candidate’s Aide
Bandits Reportedly Kill Two, Abduct Governorship Candidate’s Aide
, Nurses Forum Demands Immediate Release
Abubakar was reportedly abducted on August 25, 2026, when the vehicle conveying him from Sokoto to Kano was ambushed by armed bandits along the Tsafe–Magezu axis of Zamfara State.
The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has called for the immediate and safe release of Saidu Abubakar, a young English language teacher and aide to Social Democratic Party (SDP) Zamfara State governorship candidate, Hamza Musa Mai Bulawus.
Abubakar was reportedly abducted on August 25, 2026, when the vehicle conveying him from Sokoto to Kano was ambushed by armed bandits along the Tsafe–Magezu axis of Zamfara State.
According to information contained in a statement by the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), two passengers were killed and three others injured during the attack, while four passengers, including Abubakar, were abducted.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Coordinator, Akerele Ayodeji S., the ENF said it was “deeply disturbed” by the reports and demanded the immediate intervention of security agencies to secure Abubakar’s release.
The group said it was particularly concerned by reports that the abductors later obtained the contact details of Abubakar’s employer and demanded a ransom for his release, although the demand was subsequently reduced.
It also expressed concern over the allegation that responsibility for raising the ransom had been left to Abubakar’s family.
“We believe that no Nigerian should be left to face such a terrifying ordeal alone,” the organisation said.
The ENF condemned kidnapping, banditry and other forms of unlawful deprivation of liberty, stressing that Abubakar remained a young professional whose life and freedom were precious.
“Whatever the circumstances surrounding Saidu’s journey, he remains a human being whose life and freedom are precious,” the group said.
“He is a young professional, a teacher, a worker and someone’s son, brother, friend and colleague. His family deserves to have him back alive and safe.”
The organisation also appealed directly to the abductors to release Abubakar and the other victims unharmed.
“Release Saidu and the other captives unharmed. No ransom, grievance or demand can justify taking an innocent person’s life or liberty,” it said.
The ENF said the circumstances of the abduction raised serious concerns about the safety of Nigerians travelling on major highways and inter-state routes.
“It is unacceptable that citizens should have to undertake ordinary journeys with the fear that they may be ambushed, killed or abducted,” it said.
The group called on the Zamfara State Government, Zamfara State Police Command and relevant federal security agencies to treat the case as an urgent humanitarian and security matter.
It urged the authorities to deploy “every lawful and effective means available” to locate Abubakar and other captives and secure their safe return.
The ENF also demanded an investigation into the attack, including the deaths and injuries recorded during the incident, and called for those responsible to be arrested and prosecuted.
The organisation further urged Hamza Musa Bulawus to take responsibility for assisting his aide’s family, particularly over reports that Abubakar was travelling in response to an urgent assignment from him.
“If this account is accurate, the ENF believes that the welfare of an aide who encountered danger while carrying out an assignment should not simply be left to the young man’s family to confront alone,” it said.
It urged Bulawus, “irrespective of political affiliation or ambition”, to make every lawful effort within his reach to facilitate Abubakar’s safe return and provide meaningful support to his family.
“This is not merely a political matter. It is a matter of human responsibility,” the group said.
However, the ENF stressed that the ultimate responsibility for protecting citizens and combating armed criminality rests with government and security authorities.
“Families should not be forced to negotiate their loved ones’ survival in an environment where kidnapping has become a recurring threat,” it said.
The group demanded the immediate release of Abubakar and all other captives, urgent security intervention to locate and rescue them, meaningful support from Bulawus, and a thorough investigation into the Tsafe–Magezu attack.
It also called for sustained security presence along known kidnapping and banditry flashpoints on the Sokoto corridor and other vulnerable highways.
The ENF further demanded greater accountability and effectiveness in the deployment of public resources allocated for security.
“Nigerians deserve to see tangible protection from the enormous resources committed to securing their lives and property,” it said.
The organisation said it stood in solidarity with Abubakar’s family and urged the media, civil society organisations, community leaders, political actors and other Nigerians to keep the case in the public consciousness.
“We must never become so accustomed to kidnapping that the disappearance of another Nigerian becomes merely another statistic,” the ENF said.
“Saidu Abubakar is a human being. His life matters. His freedom matters. His family matters.”
Efforts by SaharaReporters to reach the state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, on his mobile phone for comments had not yielded any response as of the time of this report.
