Sokoto: Gunmen abduct cleric, wife, demand N10m ransom

The General Overseer of the Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Committee, Mallam Muhammed Maidoki was on Thursday, October 19, kidnapped by some gunmen, Punch reports.

Three women,  including Maidoki's wife, who were with him at the time were also whisked away, it was learnt.

They were abducted on the Abuja-Minna Road while on their way from Abuja.

It was gathered that the abductors have demanded N10 million in exchange for the victims.

"Yes, he was abducted this morning along the Abuja-Minna Road. He was coming from Abuja, where he had gone for an occasion," a family source told the newspaper.

"The abductors attacked his vehicle on the road, and whisked him, his wife and two other women away. They later contacted us and demanded N10m for their release."

According to the source, the family is planning to reach out to the state government for help.

There is, however, confusion as to which police command is supposed to take up the case.

The Sokoto State Police Command said it is unaware of the abduction, pointing that the case is under the jurisdiction of the Niger State Police Command.

But the police spokesperson for Niger State, Bala Muhammed, said the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Kaduna State Police Command.

While the spokesperson for Kaduna State, Aliyu Usman, said the matter is under the jurisdiction of the Niger State Police Command.