‘Political strategy’ – Shehu Sani reacts to viral video of kidnapped Kaduna family

Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has reacted to a viral video showing a suspected bandit pointing a gun at a kidnapped family comprising a mother, father and a baby in Kaduna State.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Monday, October 5, 2026, when armed bandits invaded Alrahus Estate in Millennium City, Kaduna State.

Reacting, Sani described the video as tragic, unfortunate and condemnable, expressing concern over the growing exploitation of kidnapping and banditry for political purposes.

In a statement he issued via his X handle on Monday, the former lawmaker recalled previous cases of mass kidnappings in Kaduna State, including the abductions of hundreds of students from Greenfield University, the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation and Bethel Baptist High School.

“The viral video of a ‘bandit’ pointing a gun at a kidnapped Kaduna mother, father and a small baby is tragic, unfortunate and condemnable.

“Years ago, we had such tragic experiences with the kidnappings of hundreds of students of Greenfield University, Federal Forestry School and Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna.

“The curious thing about this short video is the bandit hiding and demanding N300 million from a poor family of three and posting it on social media.

“The exploitation of Kidnapping and the weaponisation of banditry for political ends through footages like that are likely to be more frequent these days. Bandits criminality is now factored as a political strategy.

“The aim is to trigger outrage and evoke sympathy to attract political support. It’s easier to defeat banditry than overcome politically induced banditry.

“While calling on the security agencies to step up efforts to secure the release of the hostages, it’s a fact on the ground that security in the state is far better than it used to be through the efforts of the state government,” Sani said.