ADC presidential candidate says government must move beyond assurances as abduction of man, wife and infant sparks fresh concerns
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the abduction of Ahmed Zakka, his wife and their infant child in Kaduna State, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the insecurity threatening Nigerian families.
Atiku, a former Vice President, made the remarks in a post on his official X handle on Monday, calling on security agencies to act swiftly to secure the safe release of the abducted family and other Nigerians still held captive.
He said the thought of an infant being caught in such a frightening ordeal was particularly heartbreaking, stressing that no family should have to live under the constant threat of violence.
“The disturbing video of Ahmed Zakka, reportedly abducted alongside his wife and infant child in Kaduna State, is a painful reminder of the insecurity that continues to threaten lives and tear families apart across Nigeria,” Atiku wrote.
The ADC presidential candidate said insecurity was worsening the hardship faced by Nigerians, disrupting livelihoods and imposing emotional and financial burdens on families already struggling to meet their basic needs.
He noted that rising prices of food, transportation and other essential commodities had placed enormous pressure on households, arguing that Nigerians should not have to contend with the additional fear of being abducted in their homes or while travelling.
Atiku called on the government to move beyond public assurances and deliver a sustained security response capable of rescuing victims, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling criminal networks responsible for abductions.
“The government must move beyond assurances and deliver an effective, sustained response: rescue those in captivity, protect vulnerable communities and dismantle the networks responsible for these crimes,” he stated.
He added that no Nigerian should be forced to plead for their life or the safety of their family in the hands of criminals.
“Every Nigerian deserves to live, work and raise a family without the constant fear of violence,” Atiku said.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of families and communities affected by abductions, as pressure continues to mount on security agencies to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen rescue operations and bring those responsible for such crimes to justice.
For affected families, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their loved ones. The broader challenge for the government is to ensure that security assurances translate into tangible protection for citizens.
**The Press Nigeria
