A father, his wife and their three-month-old baby, reportedly abducted from their home in Millennium City, Kaduna metropolis, have appealed to the Nigerian government and members of the public to help secure their release.
The family of Ahmed Zakka was reportedly seized by armed men, whom the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) described as terrorists.
HURIWA drew attention to a video reportedly released by the abductors, showing Zakka carrying his infant as he and his distressed wife pleaded for help.
The identities and affiliations of the abductors have not been independently established.
HURIWA Urges Tinubu to Order Immediate Rescue
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), to mobilise security forces to rescue the family.
The rights group also urged the service chiefs, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to coordinate intelligence and joint operations to rescue the victims and other Nigerians reportedly held captive by armed groups.
HURIWA said the video showing Zakka carrying his baby while pleading for help should compel political leaders to prioritise citizens’ safety and welfare over partisan interests.
“We are not making this clarion call to publicly call out the Minister of Defence or his counterpart, but as a compassionate appeal to them and the President to immediately activate mechanisms to rescue this innocent baby and his parents, Mr and Mrs Ahmed Zakka, who were abducted by fully armed terrorists from their home in Millennium City, Kaduna metropolis,” the statement said.
HURIWA Questions Ministers’ Campaign Commitments
HURIWA urged Tinubu to relieve Musa and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of their responsibilities within the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to enable them to concentrate on the country’s security challenges.
The group expressed concern over the reported involvement of the two ministers in the party’s expanded and revised campaign council, arguing that their political commitments could distract them from their official responsibilities amid persistent insecurity.
“How does the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), feel attending the inauguration of the expanded and revised Presidential Campaign Council of the APC when terrorists continue to abduct citizens from his state and other parts of Nigeria?” HURIWA asked.
The group maintained that the President should ensure the defence ministers devote their attention to their official duties while security threats remain acute.
It also stressed that protecting lives and property was a primary constitutional responsibility of the President and a central duty of the country’s security and defence leadership.
Group Claims More Than 2,000 Nigerians Remain Captive
HURIWA criticised the administration over what it described as an inadequate response to continuing abductions, claiming that more than 2,000 Nigerians were being held captive by terrorists.
The group said the reported abduction of the Zakka family, particularly the vulnerability of a three-month-old baby in captivity, highlighted the need for urgent and coordinated action by security agencies.
It called for the safe release of the family and other captives, alongside the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abductions.
HURIWA urged the government to demonstrate its commitment to protecting Nigerians by making the rescue of abducted citizens an immediate priority, irrespective of political considerations.
