Kaduna Kidnapping: Family Accuses Uba Sani Govt Of Inaction As Air Force Officer’s Sons Spend Seven Weeks In Captivity

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded a ransom of N100 million for the boys’ release and warned their father, Daniel Dominic, that they did not keep captives for long.

Seven weeks after two young sons of an Air Force officer were abducted by gunmen in their residence in Rimi village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the family has accused the state government of failing to demonstrate urgency in securing their release.

Speaking with SaharaReporters on Monday, on behalf of the family, their uncle and the Chief Executive Officer, Gurara TV, Ernest Thyek Maidawa, said the prolonged silence and lack of a meaningful breakthrough had deepened their anguish, as the children, identified as 13-year-old Derick and 11-year-old Damina, remained in captivity.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded a ransom of N100 million for the boys’ release and warned their father, Daniel Dominic, that they did not keep captives for long.

In an earlier report published on September 1, SaharaReporters reported that the gunmen abducted the two children during a late-night raid on the family’s home, alongside their mother and a neighbour.

The boys’ mother was later released in the bush after the abductors reportedly realised that her poor health was slowing their movement.

In an update on the incident, on Monday, Maidawa expressed disappointment over what he described as the Kaduna State Government’s lackadaisical response, saying repeated efforts to secure the children’s release had yielded no meaningful result.

“I am particularly disturbed and disappointed by what I consider the lackadaisical response of the Kaduna State Government to the kidnapping of my nephews, who have now spent seven agonising weeks in captivity,” he said.

He added that he had raised concerns immediately after the abduction, hoping that the authorities would take urgent steps to secure the victims’ freedom.

“Sadly, despite several visits to the Department of State Services (DSS) and continued efforts to seek intervention, no meaningful breakthrough has been recorded,” he said.

The family member questioned the government’s commitment to protecting residents, saying the prolonged captivity had left relatives struggling with uncertainty and fear.

“How long must we continue to endure this misery? How many more families must be subjected to this unbearable pain before urgent and decisive action is taken?” he asked.

He called on the Kaduna State Government, led by Governor Uba Sani, and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the children and ensure their safe and unconditional release.

“Seven weeks is far too long. Our families deserve answers. Our loved ones deserve to come home. And the people of Kaduna State deserve a government that responds to their cries for help,” he said.

“Enough of the silence. Enough of the suffering. We want our loved ones back alive.”

In the earlier report, Dominic told SaharaReporters that the abductors had contacted him and demanded N100 million for the release of his two sons.

He said he told the callers that he could not afford the amount, explaining that he had no money in his bank account and could only seek assistance from people around him if the ransom demand was manageable.

“The kidnappers have called yesterday and made a demand of N100 million,” he previously told SaharaReporters.

“I said, ‘Okay, let me just tell you the truth. Me, I don’t have money. I don’t have anything in my account,’” he said.

According to Dominic, one of the callers warned that the kidnappers “don’t keep people for long,” heightening his fears for the children’s safety.

He said he avoided negotiating a specific amount because he did not want to make a promise he might not be able to fulfil.

The father expressed concern that the abductors could harm his children if they became angry over his inability to meet their demand.

Dominic had appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to assist the family and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the boys and the neighbour abducted during the same attack.

According to the earlier account provided by Dominic, more than 10 armed men invaded his residence between 10pm and 11pm on a Sunday while he was away on a night shift.

The attackers, who were reportedly armed with rifles and machetes, first abducted a neighbour identified as a laboratory scientist at General Hospital, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.

They allegedly broke through Dominic’s fence and entered his house through a window after dismantling its burglary protection.

Dominic said his wife initially hid their three children, identified as Derick, Damina and seven-year-old Dominion, inside a kitchen cabinet.

When the gunmen entered the house and demanded money, his wife reportedly told them that her husband was at work and that the children had travelled to their uncle’s house for the holiday.

However, the attackers allegedly searched the house and discovered the children hiding in the cabinet. They took the two older boys but left the youngest child behind.

Dominic said the gunmen accused his wife of lying and forced her and the two boys to accompany them towards nearby farmlands and bush paths.

He said his wife, who was unwell, struggled to keep pace with the abductors and repeatedly fell along the route. She was eventually released in the bush, while the two boys and their neighbour remained in captivity, according to the account.

The father had earlier said he reported the incident to his superiors and that security personnel visited the community to gather information that could assist in locating the victims.

The family urged the state government and security agencies to treat the matter with urgency, warning that the continued captivity was placing unbearable emotional pressure on their relatives.