A viral video showing a suspected bandit pointing a gun at a kidnapped family in Kaduna State has sparked widespread outrage. The victims, comprising a mother, father, and a baby, were reportedly kidnapped on Monday, October 5, 2026, when armed bandits invaded Alrahus Estate in Millennium City, Kaduna State. The video has been described as tragic, unfortunate, and condemnable by former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani.
Shehu Sani, in a statement issued via his X handle on Monday, expressed concern over the growing exploitation of kidnapping and banditry for political purposes. He recalled previous cases of mass kidnappings in Kaduna State, including the abductions of hundreds of students from Greenfield University, the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, and Bethel Baptist High School. Sani's comments have sparked a renewed debate about the security situation in Kaduna State.
According to Sani, the viral video shows a bandit hiding and demanding N300 million from a poor family of three, and posting it on social media. He noted that the exploitation of kidnapping and the weaponisation of banditry for political ends through footages like that are likely to be more frequent. Sani's statement has raised questions about the motives behind the kidnapping and the role of politics in banditry.
Sani further stated that banditry's criminality is now factored as a political strategy, aimed at triggering outrage and evoking sympathy to attract political support. He noted that it's easier to defeat banditry than overcome politically induced banditry. Sani's comments have sparked concerns about the impact of politics on the security situation in Kaduna State.
The former lawmaker called on security agencies to step up efforts to secure the release of the hostages. He also acknowledged that security in the state is far better than it used to be, thanks to the efforts of the state government. Sani's statement has been seen as a call to action for the government and security agencies to take decisive action against banditry.
The kidnapping of the family has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for the government to take action to prevent such incidents in the future. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the government's efforts to tackle banditry in Kaduna State. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The incident has left many in Kaduna State worried about their safety, and there are growing concerns about the impact of banditry on the state's economy and security. The government has been urged to take a holistic approach to tackling the issue of banditry, including addressing the root causes of the problem.
Key points
- Shehu Sani condemns the viral video of the kidnapped Kaduna family, calling it tragic and condemnable.
- Sani expresses concern over the growing exploitation of kidnapping and banditry for political purposes.
- The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for the government to take action to prevent such incidents in the future.
