The Kaduna state commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, has confirmed the abduction of Professor Aliyu Muhammad, the HOD, Department of Agricultural Protection,  Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, on Sunday night, January 17.

The lecturer was abducted by unknown gunmen in Wusasa, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna state, after the gunmen fired gunshots at his residence, killing his teenage son, Abdulaziz Aliyu. The professor's nephew, a secondary school student, Abba Kabiru, was also shot in the stomach and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

An eyewitness present at the scene of the incident said officers of the Nigerian Police force, were engaged in a gun battle with the gunmen and were over-powered before the professor was whisked away.