Umar Iyale, a veteran photojournalist, has been abducted by bandits in Danhonu II community, Millennium City area of Kaduna metropolis. Sources in the community said Iyale was taken from his residence at about 9:00pm on Monday by the bandits.
It was gathered that the gunmen carried out the operation quietly, in a coordinated manner, after gaining access to Iyale’s compound.
His family members were yet to return home when the bandits stormed the house.
It was learnt that the criminals demanded money from him, but he told them he had no money and they forcefully whisked him away to an unknown destination.
Iyale, a former staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), Kaduna station retired some years ago.
Neighbours said he was battling health challenges and expressed worry about his physical condition.
A community leader lamented the recurring pattern of kidnappings in the area, noting that frequent attacks had forced many residents and landlords to abandon their homes, thereby slowing the development of the community.
In July 2024, two journalists- AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspaper and AbdulRaheem Aodu, formerly of Blueprint Newspaper – were kidnapped alongside members of their families from the same community.
Confirming the incident, Mansir Hassan, spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, said the command has launched an investigation into the incident, aimed at rescuing the victim unhurt
Hassan, said “the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, has deployed a team of operatives to track down the abductors and secure the safe release of Iyale.”
Bandits abduct veteran photojournalist in Kaduna
