By MARYAM AHMADU-SUKA

The wife and 14-year-old son of a man killed by bandits while attempting to protect his family in Kaduna have remained in captivity three weeks after their abduction.

The victims, Hafsat Sikiru and her son, Abdulsalam Sikiru, were abducted from their residence in Babban Saura area of Kaduna town on Oct. 1, when armed men attacked the community and killed her husband.

A family member, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna on condition of anonymity, said the abductors had contacted the family, raising hopes that efforts could be made to secure the victims’ release.

He said the prolonged captivity had left the family traumatised, with relatives living in fear and uncertainty over the safety and welfare of the mother and her son.

According to him, the family is appealing to the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and other residents abducted during the attack.

“We don’t know what to do for now because we have resorted to prayers, hoping that God will touch the hearts of the bandits to release them or that the government will rescue them for us.

“It has been three weeks since they were abducted,” he said.

The family member said the incident had taken a heavy emotional toll on relatives, who had struggled to sleep because of concerns over the conditions in which the victims were being held.

“Honestly, what will give us peace of mind is to see them released.

“Imagine a widow whose husband was killed and whose son has been orphaned, both still in captivity in the forest. But Allah will intervene,” he said.

He appealed to the relevant authorities to take urgent steps to secure the release of the victims and reunite them with their family.

The incident has added to concerns over persistent attacks and abductions in parts of Kaduna, particularly communities around Millennium City and its environs.

In a related development, a couple, Ahmed Abubakar Zakka and his wife, alongside their six-month-old daughter, Fatima, who were abducted from Millennium City of Kaduna on Oct. 6, regained their freedom on Oct. 15 after spending several days in captivity.

The NAN reports that the continued detention of Hafsat and her son has left their family hoping for a similar outcome, as they await their safe return. (NAN)