Suspected bandits have kidnapped a serving police officer attached to the Nigeria Police Force Academy, Wudil, Kano State, alongside two other men, subjecting them to brutal beatings and forcing them to publicly beg for ransom.
The victims were identified as Inspector Kabiru Bello Adamu, a serving officer at the Police Academy, Wudil; Muntari; and Musa Rabiu, also known as Danladi – all natives of Tofa Local Government Area.
A source told SaharaReporters that the victims were abducted while travelling from Rijiya Zaki Motor Park in Kano State to Kebbi State.
“They were reportedly kidnapped on the way to Kebbi. The officer, Inspector Kabiru Bello, is a serving policeman with the Police Academy, Wudil,” the source said.
In a disturbing video obtained by SaharaReporters, the three abductees were seen in visible distress as armed men pointed guns at their heads, flogged them with sticks, and struck them repeatedly with AK-47 rifles.
Their pleas for mercy punctuated the footage as they appealed to the public and their families to raise ransom for their release.
Speaking in Hausa under duress, Inspector Kabiru Bello identified himself in the video and narrated how the incident occurred.
“My name is Kabiru Bello Adamu. I am a police officer working at the Police Academy, Wudil. Yesterday afternoon, I was travelling to Kebbi to visit my relatives and former colleagues I worked with years ago, to keep family ties,” he said.
“On the way, we encountered a calamity. We met armed bandits in the bush, and as of now, we are in their hands.”
He appealed for mercy, invoking religious sentiments.
“We have families and relatives. Let whatever happens be resolved peacefully,” he pleaded.
Another victim, Muntari, also appealed for assistance.
“I am Muntari, from Kano, Tofa Local Government Area. Please, brothers and friends, help us in the situation we are in,” he said.
The third abductee, Musa Rabiu (Danladi), said they were travelling to Birnin Kebbi when they ran into the bandits.
“We came from the new motor park heading to Birnin Kebbi, and on our way Allah caused us to encounter a calamity; we met forest bandits,” he said.
At one point in the video, Rabiu stated that the abductors were treating them “kindly,” which drew an angry response from one of the gunmen, who questioned him sarcastically before ordering another round of beatings.
The victims were heard screaming repeatedly: “Forgive us! Forgive us, by Allah, please forgive us! Help us, for Allah’s sake, please help us.”
The incident reveals the worsening security situation across northern Nigeria, where travellers, including security personnel, are increasingly targeted by armed groups operating along highways.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the police authorities regarding the abduction or efforts to rescue the victims.