FCT school principal abduction ends as kidnapped educator and daughter regain freedom after ransom, exposing deep insecurity challenges in the Abuja suburbs.
The terrifying FCT school principal abduction that shocked the Naharati community in Abaji Area Council has finally ended in relief.
The kidnapped principal of Junior Secondary School (JSS) Naharati, Mr. Zakari Abdulkadir Yelwa, and his daughter, Miss Hafsat Dauda, have regained their freedom after several days in captivity and the payment of a ransom totaling N3.1 million.
The FCT school principal abduction occurred on the night of Tuesday, October 21, when heavily armed men invaded the Yelwa family residence opposite the Government Science Technical College (GSTC) in Abaji.
The attackers stormed the compound around 10 p.m., firing into the air and causing panic across the neighborhood.
During the assault, the kidnappers seized the principal, his wife, and his daughter. However, Mrs. Rakiya Zakari Yelwa was later released on the spot after being unable to walk fast during the forced march through the bush.
Witnesses say the gunmen, numbering about six, escaped through the thick forests that link Abaji with parts of Nasarawa and Kogi states. Local vigilantes immediately launched a search operation but were unable to track the abductors in the dark.
Speaking to Daily Trust after his release, Mr. Yelwa recounted his dreadful experience in the hands of his abductors. He described the FCT school principal abduction ordeal as “a journey through hell,” saying he prayed constantly for divine intervention.
“On that very night, we walked through the forest till dawn. When morning came, they kept us in a valley until darkness fell again before taking us to their camp,” he narrated.
According to him, the kidnappers were well organized, armed, and masked with pieces of cloth to conceal their identities. He revealed that they were fed with garri and yam, mostly stolen from nearby farms. “Sometimes they mocked us, saying we should be grateful we were still alive,” he said.
After intense negotiations, the kidnappers demanded N3.1 million, alongside other items such as two cartons of malt, one carton of milk, loaves of bread, and several packets of cigarettes. The family and community members managed to raise the money through collective effort.
Mr. Yelwa said he and his daughter were released around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, in a forest area bordering Toto Local Government in Nasarawa and Kogi states.
“They collected the ransom and warned us not to look back as we walked away. At that moment, all I could think of was getting home to my wife,” he recounted.
Upon returning home, the principal thanked God for sparing their lives and appreciated everyone who supported the family during the crisis. He extended his gratitude to his colleagues, friends, and family members who contributed financially and offered prayers for their safe return.
The FCT school principal abduction has left residents of Naharati and the entire Abaji Area Council in fear. The incident highlights the persistent insecurity affecting rural communities within the FCT, where kidnapping and banditry have become frequent.
A community leader who preferred anonymity said, “We live in constant fear. The government must take action because no one is safe anymore — not even our teachers.”
Local vigilante members who responded swiftly to the initial attack were praised for their bravery despite being under-equipped. Mr. Yelwa commended their quick reaction and urged the government to support them with logistics and modern communication tools to improve response during such incidents.
Authorities have yet to make an official statement regarding the FCT school principal abduction, but sources confirmed that joint security patrols have been increased around Abaji and neighboring communities.
Police and military teams have been sighted conducting routine patrols, though locals believe these actions should become more consistent and permanent.
Security analysts warn that rural educators and school administrators are increasingly being targeted for ransom, given their public visibility and perceived stability. They call for the reinforcement of school security, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas around the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCT school principal abduction mirrors a disturbing national trend where teachers, students, and school officials have become targets for criminal gangs. Educationists argue that such incidents discourage teachers from working in rural areas, thereby widening the gap in access to quality education.
Experts emphasize the need for stronger collaboration between security agencies and community watch groups. They also recommend deploying surveillance technologies such as drones and CCTV systems in public schools.
A security consultant, Mallam Musa Ibrahim, stated: “The government must prioritize security in rural education zones. When teachers fear for their lives, education suffers.”
Since their return, Mr. Yelwa and his daughter have been receiving visitors and well-wishers offering prayers and words of comfort. Despite their trauma, the family remains grateful to God for deliverance.
“Life in the kidnappers’ den was unbearable. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” the principal said.
“But I thank God for saving us and thank everyone who stood by us.”
Community leaders, religious figures, and local authorities have used the incident to advocate for stronger security presence, particularly in border areas that connect the FCT to Nasarawa and Kogi states — known hotspots for criminal hideouts.
The FCT school principal abduction serves as a grim reminder that insecurity continues to threaten communities, education, and livelihoods.
Stakeholders insist that urgent measures — including effective policing, rural intelligence networks, and infrastructural development — must be adopted to reduce the vulnerabilities of such areas.
Until then, families like the Yelwas will continue to live in fear of future attacks. The government, communities, and civil society must unite to ensure that no educator or child is ever again subjected to such trauma.
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