By BANNERNEWS Reporter
A woman abducted by gunmen in Plateau State has reportedly given birth while in captivity, days after her husband was killed during the attack on their community.
The incident occurred in Kyaram community, Garga District of Kanam Local Government Area, where suspected kidnappers stormed the home of Umar Rufa’i, killed him, and abducted his pregnant wife and their daughter.
Confirming the development, the National Secretary of the Kanam Development Association (KADA), Shehu Kanam, said the abductors contacted the family to inform them that the woman had delivered a baby while still being held.
According to Kanam, the call came several days after the abduction, compounding the shock already caused by the killing of Rufa’i.
“The report we received this morning is that the wife of the deceased gave birth today while in captivity,” he said.
In a statement, KADA expressed grief over the incident, describing the killing and abduction as “shocking and unacceptable.”
The group said Rufa’i was murdered at his residence around midnight on January 17, 2026, while his wife and daughter were taken away by the attackers.
The association added that Rufa’i was buried according to Islamic rites on Sunday, January 18, 2026, and expressed concern over the safety and condition of the abducted woman and her children.
KADA further lamented the worsening security situation in Garga District, noting that communities in the area have been repeatedly targeted by kidnappers and bandits, resulting in deaths, abductions, and loss of property.
“Despite repeated appeals to the government, the situation has remained unchanged,” the group said, urging security agencies and authorities to take urgent steps to address the crisis.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, SP Alabo Alfred, had not responded to enquiries at the time of filing this report.
