Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Tragedy has struck the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto as two of its staff members have been reportedly abducted by suspected bandits along the troubled Maru axis in Zamfara State.
The victims, identified as Abdullahi of the Histopathology Department and Rufa'i of the Microbiology Department, were travelling from Abuja to Sokoto after attending a union meeting when their vehicle was intercepted by armed men. The gunmen reportedly whisked them away to an unknown destination and have since contacted their families demanding a ₦20 million ransom for their release.
According to sources close to the families, the abducted staff were part of a group returning from a national meeting of the Non‑Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) or a related union.
The attack occurred on a notorious stretch of the Abuja‑Sokoto highway that passes through the Maru axis of Zamfara State, an area that has witnessed repeated bandit attacks, abductions, and highway robberies. The road has become a major security challenge, with travellers often forced to travel in convoys or under armed escort to avoid being targeted.
The hospital management has yet to issue an official statement on the abduction, but staff members have expressed deep concern and fear over the safety of their colleagues. A union official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the incident and appealed to security agencies to expedite action to rescue the victims. “These are hardworking professionals who were returning from a legitimate meeting. Their families are devastated, and the hospital community is in shock. We urge the government and security forces to act swiftly,” the official said.
The abduction comes amid worsening insecurity on major highways across northern Nigeria, where bandits and terrorists have increasingly targeted travellers for ransom. The Abuja‑Kaduna‑Zaria‑Sokoto road corridor has seen a spike in abductions in recent months, with dozens of commuters kidnapped and held for days or weeks while families scramble to raise ransoms. Despite military operations and the deployment of security patrols, the attacks have continued, fuelling public frustration and calls for more decisive action.
As of the time of this report, the Zamfara State Police Command had not released an official statement on the abduction. No group has claimed responsibility, and the whereabouts of Abdullahi and Rufa'i remain unknown.
Their families have appealed for prayers and government intervention. The demand for ₦20 million, an amount far beyond the means of the victims’ families, has added to their anguish.
The incident once again raises the urgent question: how many more travellers must be abducted before authorities regain control of these routes? For the families of the two UDUTH staff, the answer cannot come soon enough.
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