A shocking case of abduction and ritual-related crimes took a turn for the better as operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State rescued a 19-year-old undergraduate of Kogi State University, Ayingba.
The victim, Fauziyah Muhammed, a 400-level student of English Education, was reportedly kidnapped in Kogi State but later found in Ilorin under mysterious circumstances.
Fauziyah was discovered by residents of the Ajegunle-Isale community on Egbejila Road, wandering naked and disoriented.
NSCDC operatives, led by officer Afolayan, took custody of the victim after she was handed over by concerned residents.
NSCDC State Commandant Umar Muhammed recounted the harrowing details during a media briefing on Monday.
He disclosed that Fauziyah appeared incoherent, likely due to the traumatic experiences endured while in captivity.
“We found her in a very vulnerable state, and our immediate priority was to provide her with clothing and comfort.
She has shared fragments of her ordeal but remains unable to fully articulate how she ended up in Ilorin,” he stated.
Fauziyah could only recall dropping a book she was carrying before losing consciousness.
This aligns with suspicions that she was hypnotized, a common tactic used by ritualists and kidnappers.
The NSCDC informed Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State about the case.
The governor pledged support, including logistics assistance for Fauziyah’s safe return to Kogi State.
The command also confirmed that Fauziyah would be handed over to her family through her uncle, Salihu Aliu.
This incident highlights growing concerns about the safety of individuals in Nigeria’s middle belt.
The NSCDC used the opportunity to emphasize the importance of community vigilance.
It also paraded an underage suspect, Abu Soja, alleged to be an informant for kidnappers operating in the Ajase-Ipo area of Kwara State.
According to the commandant, the informant’s associates are responsible for the abduction of a woman and her two children on November 7, 2024.
While the mother has been released, the children remain in captivity as the kidnappers demand a reduced ransom of ₦15 million. Efforts to apprehend the remaining culprits are ongoing.
The rescue of Fauziyah Muhammed and the crackdown on the Ajase-Ipo kidnapping gang underscore the urgent need for improved security across Nigeria.
The NSCDC urged citizens to report suspicious activities promptly and called for stronger inter-agency collaboration to combat rising cases of abduction and ritual-related crimes.
For Fauziyah, the road to recovery may be long, but her rescue is a glimmer of hope in a climate where many similar cases go unresolved.