How wife of journalist was beaten and kidnapped in Kaduna

Nasir Birnin-Yero, a reporter with the Voice of America (VOA), was away from his home in Kaduna when gunmen numbering over 30, stormed the apartment, abducted his wife and kid and vandalized the entire property.

A personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was also killed by the assailants.

Birnin-Yero said, “they came to my house at about 1:30a.m. I was not at home then, but they forced themselves into my house and asked my wife about my whereabouts and she told them I was not at home.

“They vandalised my television set and refrigerator insisting that they must lead them to me.

“One of my neighbours, who works with FRSC, was shot dead by the kidnappers when he rushed out in an attempt to save my family. The kidnappers have not made any contact yet.”

'Sad day'

Umar Ibrahim, a Sector Commander with the FRSC in Kaduna, confirmed the killing of the corps personnel and described the incident as very unfortunate.

“I am just coming back from the burial. It is a sad day for members of his family and the entire FRSC family,” Ibrahim said.

Senator Shehu Sani who represents Kaduna in the upper legislative chamber said “the kidnapping of the wife of VOA Africa correspondent Nasir Birnin Yero and the Killing of FRSC official Sabitu Abdulhamid in Kaduna State, stands condemned. I join the families in prayers while calling on security agents to intensify efforts to rescue the hostage”.

The police has been quiet on the incident. Calls placed to the mobile of police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood weren't answered before this story was filed.

Kidnappings have been widespread in Nigeria; with school kids not spared the ordeal as well. Terrorists pining for an Islamic State in the northeast have abducted thousands of Nigerians since 2009.