A blind student of the Katsina School for the Blind, Muhammad Abdullahi, who was abducted in Katsina State, has regained his freedom after spending seven days in captivity.
Muhammad was kidnapped on Friday, January 16, 2026, while on his way to school. He was reportedly abducted by suspected kidnappers riding a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as Okada.
He was safely reunited with his family on Friday afternoon.
Confirming the development, his cousin, Ibrahim Jibril Ibrahim Maigamji, expressed gratitude to security agencies, organisations of persons with disabilities, and members of the public for their efforts that led to his release.
While Muhammad was still in captivity, disability groups had raised alarm over his abduction.
In a statement made available to Inclusive News on Thursday, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) described the incident as a serious human rights and humanitarian emergency.
The statement, signed by Zainab Idris, Youth Wing Northwest Coordinator of JONAPWD, said the abduction of a child with disability highlighted the heightened risks faced by vulnerable groups.
“This is not just a security issue; it is a serious human rights and humanitarian emergency. A child with disability, who already faces daily challenges in accessing education and building his future, has now been abducted,” the statement read.
The association called on the Federal Government, Katsina State Government, security agencies, disability stakeholders, traditional and community leaders to take immediate action to secure Muhammad’s safe and unconditional release and to strengthen protection for students with disabilities, particularly in northern Nigeria.
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