Terrorists kidnap 2 UDUTH staff on Abuja-Sokoto route, demand N20m ransom

By Musa Ubandawaki

Security concerns in Nigeria’s North‑West have intensified after two staff members of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto were abducted on the Maru–Talata Mafara highway in Zamfara State.

The victims, identified as Malam Abdullahi from the Histopathology Department and Malam Rufae from the Microbiology Department, were reportedly seized by suspected armed bandits while travelling from Abuja to Sokoto following a union meeting.

Witnesses say the incident occurred along the Maru axis, a corridor that has long been plagued by banditry, kidnappings and violent attacks on commuters.

Family members and associates report that the kidnappers have already contacted relatives and are demanding a ransom of N10 million for each victim’s release.

“The kidnappers reached out to the families and demanded N10 million from each side. The situation has thrown the families into deep distress, and they are appealing to security agencies and well‑meaning Nigerians to intervene urgently,” a source close to the victims revealed.

The abduction has heightened anxiety among UDUTH staff and residents of Sokoto State, many of whom view it as another stark reminder of the growing dangers faced by travelers on North‑West highways.

Despite ongoing military offensives and security operations, the Maru–Talata Mafara road remains a major flashpoint for armed banditry in Zamfara State. Commuters and transport operators frequently report attacks, ambushes and abductions along the route.

Colleagues of the abducted health workers described the incident as tragic, noting that the victims were returning from an official engagement focused on workers’ welfare when they were intercepted by gunmen.

“It is heartbreaking because these are dedicated health personnel committed to saving lives. They were simply returning home after a legitimate assignment when they were abducted by criminals,” another associate lamented.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the teaching hospital, Malam Mansur Wadata, confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details, citing ongoing negotiations involving the abductors, the families and hospital management.

At the time of this report, security authorities had not issued a statement on the abduction.

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