‘How I Miraculously Escaped from Abuja Kidnappers’ – NDIC Director Recounts Ordeal

Hajiya Rahmatu Sani, a director at the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has shared a chilling account of her narrow escape from kidnappers in Abuja, highlighting the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. The incident occurred on Friday, October 21, around 7:08 a.m., not far from Esteem Boys’ College in the Lokogoma area of the city.

According to Hajiya Sani, she had just dropped off her husband, Malam Musa Bukar, the director of Esteem Boys’ College, and was on her way to work. Her vehicle was suddenly ambushed by gunmen who began firing shots. The gunfire shattered her car’s tires and penetrated the vehicle’s body. Her driver was forced out of the car and made to lie face down on the ground under the threat of death.

“I heard the shots and thought it was a robbery. My tires were gone, and bullets were flying into the car. I could only say, ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,’ trusting Allah to guide me,” she recounted. Despite the terrifying situation, Hajiya Sani remained composed and resolute, a calmness she attributed to her faith.

The assailants opened the car door, took her phone and bag, and then demanded that she enter another vehicle. It was at this moment she realized they were kidnappers and not armed robbers. Her refusal to comply led to a physical confrontation. “They told me to get into their car, but I refused. I told them to shoot me if they wanted to, but I wouldn’t willingly enter their vehicle. I was prepared to die rather than surrender,” she said.

Her resistance only angered the kidnappers further. One of them grabbed her arm and tried to drag her into the vehicle. Despite the physical struggle, she continued reciting prayers aloud. “I called on Allah and recited every prayer I could remember. Even when they threatened me, I did not stop. When one of them tried to overpower me, I fought back and hit him. My prayers seemed to irritate them, and they demanded I stay quiet, but I refused.”

The attackers were persistent. A second kidnapper joined in the effort to subdue her. They physically carried her toward the car and even slammed her head against the vehicle. She continued to resist, using her legs to kick back and prevent the door from being closed. When they threatened to break her leg, she remained unshaken, telling them to go ahead.

“Even in the midst of the assault, I stayed focused on Allah. I believed that if I died, I would have died for my dignity and my livelihood. My resistance was the only thing keeping me alive at that point,” she explained.

Eventually, the kidnappers managed to force her into their vehicle and attempted to drive away. However, their car soon suffered a punctured tire, and traffic ahead slowed their escape. As they tried to maneuver through the congestion, their damaged car attracted attention. The bumper had fallen off, and their erratic driving raised suspicions among bystanders.

At one point, another vehicle blocked their path, forcing the kidnappers to stop. Seizing the moment, Hajiya Sani attempted to escape. Despite being restrained by a child lock, she used her remaining strength to knock on the window and call for help. Her actions caught the attention of a nearby crowd.

“When they opened the door and saw me bruised and dirty, I told them I was being kidnapped. The crowd’s reaction startled the kidnappers, who abandoned their weapons and fled. Allah put fear in their hearts, and they ran away,” she said.

Her escape underscores the growing insecurity in Abuja, where incidents of kidnappings and killings have become alarmingly frequent. In October alone, two other high-profile cases added to the grim statistics. The principal of the Abuja Rehabilitation Centre, Bala Tsoho Musa, was found dead at his residence under mysterious circumstances, and a legislative aide, Na’imat Suleiman, was abducted and killed by “One Chance” kidnappers despite a ransom payment.

These incidents have left residents of the Federal Capital Territory increasingly concerned about their safety. Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has yet to respond specifically to Hajiya Sani’s case. However, the FCT Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, recently reiterated his commitment to combating crime in the capital, urging residents to report suspicious activities via designated emergency hotlines.

Reflecting on her experience, Hajiya Sani emphasized the importance of prayer and faith in times of crisis. “No matter what situation you find yourself in, always call on Allah. Prayer is a powerful weapon. It saved my life,” she concluded.