Abducted Kibiya Secretary, Kano Police Launch Rescue

Police Confirm Abduction of Local Government Secretary in Nigeria’s Kano State

Kano State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Alhaji Hamza Durya, the Secretary of Kibiya Local Government Area, by armed gunmen. The incident occurred on Saturday at his residence in Durya village, Kibiya Local Government Area.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori disclosed the development in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He stated that the command’s anti-kidnap squad, the local area commander, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) have been fully mobilised to locate and rescue the victim. “All hands are on deck to rescue him safely,” Commissioner Bakori said, indicating an active operation is underway.

The police appeal to residents, particularly those in rural communities, to volunteer credible and actionable information that could aid the deployment and success of the rescue operation. Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement regarding possible demands or the identity of the captors.

This abduction underscores the persistent security challenges in parts of northern Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom—often targeting prominent local figures, politicians, and their families—have been a recurring issue. While Kano State has generally been considered safer than some neighbouring regions, sporadic incidents highlight the complex nature of the security landscape.

The police emphasis on community cooperation reflects a strategic approach often employed in such cases, relying on local intelligence to track movements in rural and hard-to-reach areas. The rescue of Durya remains the immediate priority for security agencies, with the outcome likely to influence both local confidence and broader assessments of policing effectiveness in the state.

The incident draws attention to the vulnerability of public officials outside major urban centres and the ongoing necessity for robust, intelligence-led security responses in Nigeria’s northwest and north-central zones. Further updates on the rescue operation are expected as the investigation progresses.