Katsina State’s governor’s mother-in-law kidnapped

Suspected kidnappers were reported to have abducted Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf, mother-in-law of Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari.

Hajiya Hauwa, 80, is mother of Binta Masari, one of the governor’s three wives.

Before her kidnap, she was reported to be living at Dandume Crescent in Katsina Layout in the state capital.

It was gathered that the kidnappers, wearing masks and armed with weapons, stormed her residence around 3am yesterday and forced their way into her apartment and immediately whisked her away.

It was also learnt that the abductors beat up other residents of the house, while their mobile phones were seized and carted away.

Though the Police was yet to comment on the issue, the incident had reportedly led to increased security presence in the area, even as sympathisers from within and outside government continued to besiege her residence to express their sympathy.

The incident came few hours to today’s elections, in which Masari is the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives congress (APC).

A few weeks ago, the governor had raised the alarm that the state was under the siege of kidnappers and bandits. He was considering signing into law, a Bill that would make kidnapping a non-bailable offence.