By Gwurld4026 
Harrowing Kidnapping Experience: Bishop Kukah’s Brother
Ishaya Kukah, brother of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, recently recounted his harrowing experience during a 32-day captivity by bandits. He was among 60 rescued victims received by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar in Abuja on April 8, 2025.
During his captivity, Ishaya described severe conditions, stating that he had lost hope of survival due to the treatment they endured. He detailed that captives were often chained in pairs, requiring them to move together even for basic needs like defecating or urinating. The bandits exerted intense pressure on victims to secure ransom payments from their families, resorting to beatings or threats of death for those who hesitated.
Expressing gratitude for their rescue, Ishaya acknowledged the efforts of the federal government and security forces, emphasizing that without their intervention, they would still be in captivity.
Another rescued victim, Adesanya Michael, a Deputy Director at the National Assembly Commission, shared similar experiences. Abducted from his residence in Kubwa, Abuja, on January 26, 2025, he endured being chained for 32 days and witnessed the killing of his wife by the captors. Michael advocated for non-combative approaches to address banditry, suggesting disarmament, education, and reintegration of the bandits into society.