Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The family of Mallam Auwal, a resident of Hayin Babban Saura Police Quarters in Kaduna, is grappling with an unimaginable tragedy after bandits killed him despite receiving a ransom payment of N12 million. The victim was abducted from his home, and after his family scrambled to raise the staggering sum demanded for his release, the kidnappers allegedly killed him and claimed they had buried his body. The family still does not know exactly when he was killed. To make matters worse, his son, who personally delivered the ransom in the hope of securing his father's freedom, remains in the custody of the bandits despite their promise to release him.
The harrowing ordeal came to a sombre public conclusion on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when a Salatul Gha'ib (funeral prayer in absentia) was held for Mallam Auwal at Murtala Square in Kaduna. Family members, neighbours and community leaders gathered to pray for the deceased and to seek divine intervention for the safe return of his son, who is still being held captive. The prayer service underscored the deep sense of loss and helplessness that has gripped the community, as residents once again confront the brutal reality of banditry in Kaduna State.
Mallam Auwal's abduction and murder are part of a disturbing pattern of violence that has plagued Kaduna State, where bandits have increasingly targeted residents for ransom. The payment of N12 million, a sum that likely required significant sacrifice from the family, was meant to secure his release. Instead, it ended in betrayal and death. The kidnappers' decision to kill him after collecting the ransom, and their continued detention of his son, has left the family in a state of profound grief and uncertainty.
The incident has also highlighted the growing crisis of ransom payments in Nigeria's North-West, where families are often forced to pay large sums to secure the release of loved ones, only to be met with further violence or broken promises. In Kaduna State alone, residents have reported that over N400 million has been paid as ransom to bandits in recent months, yet abductions and killings continue unabated. The case of Mallam Auwal is a stark reminder that paying ransom does not guarantee safety, and that the cycle of violence and extortion is taking a devastating toll on ordinary Nigerians.
As the community mourns, the family of Mallam Auwal is left to pick up the pieces. They are now praying for the safe return of his son, who remains in the hands of the kidnappers. The Salatul Gha'ib held at Murtala Square was not just a prayer for the deceased, but a collective cry for justice and an end to the senseless violence that has become a daily reality for so many Nigerians. May Allah forgive Mallam Auwal, have mercy on his soul, and grant his family the strength to bear this painful loss. May Allah also free his son and bring him home safely.
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