Mother, Newborn, Six Others Die in Bandits’ Captivity 6 Months After Abduction in Kaduna

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Eight people, including a mother, her two daughters, a newborn baby and four others, have reportedly died in bandits’ captivity, six months after being kidnapped in Kaduna State.

The victims were among 11 residents abducted when armed bandits invaded Awon community in Kachia Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna on April 20, 2026.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded N300 million and 23 motorcycles as ransom but rejected the community’s offer. They also threatened to withhold food from the captives until their demands were met.

The mother was reportedly the first to die, while her 14-year-old daughter, who was abducted alongside her, later succumbed after becoming critically ill.

Journalist Reuben Buhari confirmed the latest development in a Facebook post on Thursday, October 22.

Two other victims, identified as 34-year-old Yusuf Bawa and his five-year-old son, also reportedly died from illnesses and severe hunger while being held by the abductors.

The deaths have further raised concerns over the fate of the remaining captives and the prolonged ordeal faced by families of kidnapping victims.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, with the Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, reportedly not answering phone calls.