…Gunmen led Muizat Yusuf’s parents and younger brother away during the attack, while she managed to hide and survive the ordeal.
KADUNA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Gunmen stormed a family residence in Millennium City, Kaduna, late at night, abducting three members of the household and leaving their daughter to recount the harrowing ordeal.
Muizat Yusuf, who survived the attack, said she hid as the gunmen led her parents and younger brother away, disappearing into the darkness while she remained the only immediate family member at home.
Those abducted by the gunmen are Lateeefat Yusuf (née Oyetunji), a teacher with the Kaduna State Ministry of Education; her husband, Yahaya Yusuf, proprietor of a community-focused model school; and their 21-year-old son, AbdulGafar Yusuf.
The Yusuf family, which has lived in Millennium City since 2015, is widely regarded by neighbours for its contributions to education and community development.
Residents said Yahaya Yusuf’s school is known for providing affordable education to children from low-income families and creating employment opportunities for locals, including members of the Gwari and Fulani communities.
Lateeefat Yusuf is similarly described as a dedicated public school teacher who has spent years nurturing students across the state.
Neighbours added that the family’s commitment to education is reflected in their children’s academic pursuits. One of the sons is studying medicine at Bayero University Kano, while AbdulGafar, now in captivity, recently graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology and is awaiting national service.
Muizat herself recently gained admission to Bayero University Kano to study nursing and is expected to resume after the Ramadan fast.
Expressing deep concern for her brother’s wellbeing, she described him as physically delicate, stressing that “every second counts” as the family fears for the conditions under which the victims may be held.
The family said it is not apportioning blame but is appealing to security agencies to intensify efforts toward the safe release of Lateeefat Yusuf, Yahaya Yusuf and AbdulGafar Yusuf, as Muizat hopes simply to have her family back.
