Gunmen Abduct, Kill Kano Ward Head After Demanding ₦200m Ransom

Gunmen have abducted and killed Alhaji Ahmad Yakubu Ahmad, the ward head of Aujarawa village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, after demanding a ransom of ₦200 million from his family.

The attackers reportedly stormed his residence at about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, firing several gunshots into the air before forcing their way into the house.

According to residents, the gunmen shot at the entrance door to gain access to the residence, where they tied up some family members who were asleep in a room.

They subsequently proceeded to the ward head's apartment, dragged him out of his bedroom and took him to an unknown destination.

The deceased's younger brother, Muhammad Auwal, told Daily Trust that the kidnappers severely beat his elder brother inside the house in the presence of his family before taking him away.

Auwal said the abductors contacted the family on September 18 and demanded a ransom of ₦200 million.

He explained that after prolonged negotiations, the kidnappers reduced the amount to ₦50 million, but the family maintained that it could not afford the sum.

According to him, the family eventually offered ₦5 million when the kidnappers called on September 22, hoping the offer would secure the ward head's release.

However, the abductors stopped contacting the family after the offer was made.

Auwal said the family heard nothing further from either the kidnappers or the police until September 30, when they received information about the discovery of a corpse in Danladin, Gezawa.

He explained that when the family visited the location, they were informed that the corpse had already been buried on police orders.

The family subsequently visited the divisional police office to make inquiries, where they were shown photographs of the corpse.

Auwal said he identified his brother through his head and feet and requested that the body be released to the family.

The police directed them to the state police headquarters, where they completed the necessary documentation before being permitted to exhume the body.

The family subsequently exhumed the deceased's remains in Danladin and buried him according to Islamic rites on the same day.

Family Accuses Police of Delayed Response

Auwal expressed disappointment over what he described as the police's slow response to the incident.

He said the police were notified shortly after his brother was abducted at about 1:30 a.m., but officers did not respond to the distress call until approximately 4:25 a.m.

He further alleged that the police did not visit the residence until around noon on the same day.

Expressing his frustration, Auwal said his brother had always supported the police whenever they needed assistance, making the alleged delay particularly painful for the family.

Son Mourns Father's Death

The deceased's eldest son, Tukur Ahmad Yakubu, described his father as a humble, compassionate, generous and simple man who was widely loved by members of the community.

He said his father's death had placed a significant responsibility on him as the eldest child, adding that he never expected to assume such responsibilities so soon.

Yakubu prayed to Allah to grant him the strength and wisdom to lead the family following the loss.

He described his father's death as a significant loss not only to the immediate family but also to the entire Aujarawa community and Gezawa Local Government Area.

According to him, his father was known for his generosity and willingness to assist people, even when he had limited resources.

He added that the deceased often made personal sacrifices to solve other people's problems and was respected for his kindness.

Yakubu prayed for Allah's forgiveness for his father's shortcomings and for his admission into Aljannatul Firdaus.

Family Demands Justice

The deceased's son appealed to the Kano State Government and relevant security agencies to ensure that those responsible for his father's death were identified, arrested and prosecuted.

He insisted that his father's death must not go unpunished, calling on the authorities to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, sympathisers were still visiting the deceased's residence to offer condolences to the grieving family when Daily Trust visited the area.

When contacted, the Kano State Police Command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Abdullahi Kiyawa, promised to respond after contacting the Divisional Police Officer in Gezawa.

However, he had not provided a response as of the time the report was filed. Subsequent calls to him were unsuccessful.