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January 07, 2026 – Nigeria –
A veteran Nigerian photojournalist, Malam Umar Usman Iyale, has been kidnapped by suspected bandits in the Danhonu II community of Millennium City, located in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, according to security and community sources. The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the abduction on January 5, 2026, saying operatives have been deployed to locate and rescue him unharmed.
Police spokesperson DSP Mansir Hassan stated that the journalist was seized by gunmen from his home around 9:00 pm on Monday, with the assailants carrying out the operation in a coordinated manner. Iyale, a retired photojournalist formerly affiliated with Africa Independent Television (AIT) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Kaduna, was reportedly alone at the time of the attack. The police said that the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, has ordered a manhunt for the kidnappers and urged residents to assist with information that could facilitate a safe release.
Local eyewitnesses said the attackers approached the compound quietly, taking Iyale to an unknown location after demanding money — a common tactic among armed bandit networks operating in northwest Nigeria. A resident source told reporters that when the journalist could not produce cash, the kidnappers forcibly abducted him. Iyale’s age and reported health challenges have raised serious concerns among neighbours about his well-being while in captivity.
The kidnapping has fueled anxiety in the Danhonu II area, where residents say recurring waves of bandit raids and abductions have driven many families to relocate and hindered local development. Community leaders lamented that insecurity persists despite ongoing government initiatives such as the Kaduna Peace Model, which aims to reduce violence but has yet to stop frequent criminal incursions. The abduction also recalls previous attacks in the same community, including the July 2024 kidnapping of two journalists along with their families, underscoring ongoing risks for media professionals in the region.
Security analysts note that banditry and armed criminality remain entrenched in parts of northwest Nigeria, including Kaduna, where groups linked to broader militant networks continue to carry out kidnappings, raids, and violent assaults on civilians. These developments amplify calls for enhanced security responses and sustainable solutions to protect vulnerable communities and journalists reporting on local events.
Reference –
https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/kidnappers-abduct-photojournalist-others-in-kaduna-community/
