13-year-old girl passes away in Kaduna a day after regaining freedom from bandit captivity

A 13-year-old girl, Hasana Bulus, has passed away a day after regaining freedom from bandits' captivity in Kaduna State.

The minor was one of the residents who regained their freedom on November 2 after seven months in captivity.

LIB reported that Hasana was kidnapped from her home in Awon village, Kachia Local Government Area, on April 20, 2026, alongside other residents. 

The bandits had initially demanded N300m ransom and 23 motorcycles for their freedom, rejecting the rural community's offer of several million naira and threatening that their victims would have no access to food until the ransom is paid. 

Most of the victims, including children, eventually passed away in captivity.

Journalist and former aide to late Kaduna State governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Reuben Buhari, who confirmed the sad development said she passed away in a hospital while receiving treatment on November 3. 

According to him, Hasana endured pain and horrors in captivity. 

A community leader, Speaker Jethro Daniel, also confirmed the development. 

“This is 13-year-old Hasana Bulus. On 20th April, she was kidnapped from her home in Awon village alongside others and taken into the bush. For seven long months, this little girl was held captive in the bush, enduring pain and horrors no 13-year-old should ever have to see, let alone live through,” he wrote.

“She was finally freed on 2nd November and taken to a hospital in Kachia. On 3rd November, just a day after tasting freedom, she died. May her gentle soul rest in peace.”