Relief has returned to a Katsina family after a businessman, Anas Ahmadu, his seven-month pregnant wife, Halimatu, and their two-year-old daughter regained freedom from their abductors after 21 days in captivity.

The victims were released on Wednesday night, but only after the family paid a ransom of N50 million.

Confirming the development, a source close to the family said:
“Alhamdulillah! Anas, Halimatu, and their daughter have been released by their captors tonight. They are on their way home. But a ransom of N50 million was paid to the assailants.”

The exact location where they were released was not disclosed.

It will be recalled that the family was kidnapped on August 26, 2025, from their residence in Filin Canada Quarters, Katsina metropolis. The gunmen had initially demanded N600 million, later reduced it to N100 million, before finally agreeing to accept N50 million after negotiations.

The incident adds to the rising cases of kidnappings across northern Nigeria, where families are often forced to pay huge sums to secure the release of loved ones.