Eight ∆bductees, Including Mother, Newborn, Reportedly D!e In Bandits’ Capt!vity
Eight Abductees, Including Mother, Newborn, Reportedly Die In Bandits’ Captivity
..In Kaduna
EIGHT people abducted from the Awon community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State have reportedly died in bandits’ captivity, nearly six months after they were seized by armed men.
The victims reportedly include a mother, her children, a newborn baby, 34-year-old Yusuf Bawa and his five-year-old son. Their deaths have heightened concerns over the fate of other captives still being held by the abductors.
The victims were among 11 residents abducted when armed bandits invaded the Awon community in Southern Kaduna on 20 April 2026.
According to reports, the kidnappers demanded N300 million and 23 motorcycles as ransom but rejected an offer made by the community. They also reportedly threatened to deny the captives food until their demands were met.
Journalist Reuben Buhari, who has been following developments surrounding the abductions, reportedly confirmed further details of the incident in a Facebook post on Thursday, 22 October.
Earlier reports by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, an international human rights organisation, documented the deaths and deteriorating health conditions of several people held in captivity following the abduction.
Land for Sale at Awuse Estate, Ikeja
Among the reported victims was Joy Samuel, a mother who gave birth while in captivity. Her newborn baby reportedly died before her, while her three-year-old daughter, Silvia Samuel, remained in the hands of the abductors.
Yusuf Bawa, 34, and his five-year-old son were also reported to have died after suffering from sickness and severe hunger while being held captive.
Another 14-year-old girl, Faith Kefas, was reportedly critically ill after months in captivity, while other abductees were said to be suffering from malnutrition, skin infections and other health complications.
The captives were reportedly subjected to harsh conditions, with inadequate food, limited access to clean water and no reliable medical care.
Land for Sale at Awuse Estate, Ikeja
The development has raised fresh concerns about the survival of the remaining abductees, particularly children and other vulnerable victims who have endured months of deprivation.
The abduction of the Awon residents occurred amid a wider wave of attacks and kidnappings in Southern Kaduna. On 5 April 2026, armed men abducted 37 worshippers during attacks on churches in neighbouring Ariko community, also in Kachia Local Government Area.
Reports on the Ariko abduction subsequently documented deaths among the captives, while some survivors were later reported to have regained their freedom.
The fate of the remaining Awon captives, however, has continued to generate concern among their families and residents of the affected communities.
The latest reported deaths have renewed calls for the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those still being held and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Efforts to obtain an official confirmation of the latest death toll from the Kaduna State Police Command were reportedly unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The exact number of surviving captives and the circumstances surrounding all eight reported deaths could not be independently verified.
