‘Political strategy’ – Shehu Sani reacts to viral video of kidnapped Kaduna family
Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has condemned a viral video that depicts a suspected bandit brandishing a firearm at a kidnapped family, which includes a mother, father, and their infant child in Kaduna State.
The family was reportedly abducted on October 5, 2026, when armed bandits targeted Alrahus Estate in Millennium City. In his response, Sani described the incident as tragic and expressed concern over the increasing use of kidnapping and banditry for political purposes.
In a statement shared on his X account, Sani recalled previous mass abductions in the region, including the kidnappings of students from Greenfield University, the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, and Bethel Baptist High School.
“The viral video showing a bandit threatening a family is both tragic and condemnable,” Sani stated. “We have previously encountered such horrifying incidents, especially the abductions of dozens of students from various institutions in Kaduna.”
He raised concerns about the motivations behind the video, noting that the bandit was demanding a ransom of N300 million from the distressed family and sharing the footage on social media. Sani warned that the commodification of kidnapping for political gain could become increasingly prevalent.
“The exploitation of kidnapping and the weaponization of banditry for political purposes through such footage are likely to escalate,” he said. “Banditry is now viewed as a potential political strategy aimed at inciting public outrage and garnering sympathy for specific agendas.”
Sani urged security agencies to intensify their efforts to secure the release of the captives, while also acknowledging that the overall security situation in Kaduna has improved due to the state government’s initiatives.
