The family of a seven-year-old girl, Zainab Abdulrasaq, is desperately seeking help after their daughter was abducted while returning from school in Bauchi State. According to the family, the incident, which occurred on January 20, 2025, has left them devastated, as they accuse the police of not taking sufficient action to find and return the child.
The abduction took place when a car with tinted windows blocked the school bus carrying Zainab, her nanny, and other children. A source close to the family told that the kidnappers forcefully entered the bus, took Zainab alone, and sped off in their vehicle.
The source also revealed that the vehicle involved in the abduction was said to be a covered Toyota car, with its number plates obscured. Two individuals, suspected to be security agents, were allegedly in the vehicle at the time. The car is reported to have intercepted the bus near Niima Hospital Close in the GRA area of Bauchi, an area known for its residential buildings.
After the abduction, the family immediately informed the authorities, hoping that prompt action would be taken. The family claims that the school principal, along with the bus driver and the nanny, lodged an official complaint with the Bauchi State Police Command on the same day, January 20. Despite the formal report, the family alleges that no substantial efforts have been made by the police to rescue Zainab.
“The police have been informed, but it is devastating that no major action has been taken to get the child back,” a family member told . “We are pleading for help. Our only hope is to get Zainab back safely, and we are calling on the authorities and anyone who can assist.”
As of now, there has been no update from the police regarding the case, and the family remains frustrated. reached out to the Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, who claimed he was unaware of the incident. “I have not received any signal on the case,” Wakil said. “The family can reach out to my office, but I do not have information about the report of the incident, and I do not want to make comments on what I’m not aware of.”
This has raised concerns in the community about the police’s response to abductions, particularly when the suspects are believed to be acting with the involvement of security personnel. Many are questioning whether this could be an inside job or if the police are simply failing to prioritize the case.
Bauchi residents are particularly alarmed because the incident took place in broad daylight, and it was reported that the car used in the abduction had some resemblance to a security vehicle, raising suspicions about the involvement of law enforcement or other security agents.
This is not the first time the issue of child abductions has come to the forefront in Bauchi. In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of abductions across the state, leaving families feeling vulnerable and frustrated with the authorities’ response. As the case of Zainab Abdulrasaq unfolds, many are hoping that it will serve as a wake-up call for the Bauchi State Police Command to act swiftly and prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The abduction has also sparked a conversation about the safety of children traveling in school buses across Nigeria. Parents and school officials are being urged to take extra precautions when it comes to the security of children, especially in areas where kidnappers have been known to operate. Some experts have recommended installing tracking devices on school buses and employing security personnel to monitor routes.
This case also highlights the importance of timely and effective police action in kidnapping cases. Law enforcement agencies across Nigeria have been criticized for their slow response to kidnappings, leading to public distrust and fear. Families affected by kidnappings, like Zainab’s, often feel helpless when their calls for help seem to go unanswered.
In the wake of this abduction, the family has called on the public to be vigilant and assist in any way they can. They are hoping that someone may have seen something that could lead to the discovery of Zainab’s whereabouts. They are also urging the police to take swift action and provide updates to reassure the public that their efforts are focused on recovering the child.
It is also crucial that the Bauchi State Government and the Nigerian government as a whole take stronger measures to address the increasing cases of abductions and insecurity across the country. With the rise in kidnapping incidents, there is an urgent need for better security measures, more resources for law enforcement agencies, and a stronger commitment to protecting vulnerable children and other citizens from criminal elements.
Zainab’s family remains hopeful that their daughter will be safely returned to them, but as the days pass without any word from the authorities, their anxiety continues to grow. The case has brought attention to the ongoing challenges that many Nigerians face in ensuring their safety and the safety of their loved ones.
