Suspected bandits have abducted a 300-level student of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina State, identified as Auwal Mas’ud Shitu, while travelling within the state.
The undergraduate, who studies Pure and Industrial Chemistry, was reportedly kidnapped along the Charanchi-Dutsin-Ma road on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The incident was made public on Monday by a security-focused journalist covering insecurity in the North-West region, who disclosed the development through a post on X.
According to the report, the abductors have contacted the victim’s family and are demanding a ransom of N20 million for his release.
It was gathered that the family is struggling to raise the amount demanded by the kidnappers.
Friends, relatives and sympathisers were said to have intensified appeals for prayers and urgent intervention as concerns grow over the worsening security situation across parts of northern Nigeria.
The abduction has also sparked fresh concerns about the safety of students and commuters travelling on major roads in Katsina State and neighbouring communities.
Residents have repeatedly called on security agencies and government authorities to strengthen efforts aimed at tackling the increasing wave of kidnappings and banditry in the region.