Abducted Katsina Businessman, Pregnant Wife, and Daughter Freed After N50m Ransom Payment

Family Regains Freedom After 21 Days in Captivity as Kidnappers Slash Initial N600m Demand to N50m

A Katsina businessman, Anas Ahmadu, his seven-month pregnant wife, Halimatu, and their two-year-old daughter have been released after spending three harrowing weeks in the hands of kidnappers.

The family was abducted on August 26, 2025, from their residence in Filin Canada Quarters, Katsina metropolis. Following intense negotiations, the captors freed them on Wednesday night, September 17, 2025, after receiving a ransom of ₦50 million.

A family relative, who confirmed the release, expressed relief, saying:

“Alhamdulillah! Anas, Halimatu, and their daughter have been released by their captors tonight. They are on their way home. But a ransom of N50 million was paid to the assailants.”

He explained that for security reasons, details of the pick-up location would not be disclosed.

Initially, the kidnappers demanded ₦600 million, later slashing it to ₦100 million on September 3, before finally accepting ₦50 million.

The ordeal has raised fresh concerns over the rising wave of kidnappings in Katsina and across northern Nigeria, as residents continue to live in fear despite ongoing security operations in the region.

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