A harrowing incident in Plateau State has taken a more tragic turn, as a housewife abducted alongside her daughter after the murder of her husband has reportedly given birth while in captivity.
Details of the Attack and Abduction
Armed men stormed the Kyaram community in the Garga district of Kanam Local Government Area in the late hours of Saturday, January 17, 2026. The assailants killed a man identified as Umar Rufa'i at his residence before abducting his wife and their daughter.
The national secretary of the Kanam Development Association (KADA), Shehu Kanam, confirmed the details of the incident to the press in Jos on Monday, January 19th. The community group issued a statement expressing profound shock and condemning the brutal act.
A Heartbreaking Birth in Captivity
In a cruel twist, the kidnappers contacted the family on Sunday, January 18, 2026, just hours after the abduction. They informed the relatives that the abducted wife of the late Umar Rufa'i had given birth to a baby while still being held captive.
"The report we received this morning is that the bandits called and informed the family that the wife of the deceased gave birth today, while in captivity," the KADA statement revealed. The group described the news as "very heartbreaking," highlighting the unimaginable conditions of the delivery.
Community Laments Persistent Insecurity
Shehu Kanam further emphasized that the entire Garga district has been severely plagued by relentless banditry and kidnapping. He noted frequent reports of killings and abductions that have created an atmosphere of fear and loss.
Despite repeated appeals to the government for intervention, the security situation in the area remains dire and largely unchanged. KADA has urgently called on the authorities to take immediate and decisive action to address the escalating crisis and protect vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the deceased, Umar Rufa'i, was laid to rest on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in accordance with Islamic rites, as his wife and children remain in the hands of their captors. This incident underscores the wider pattern of violent attacks and kidnappings that have afflicted numerous communities within Kanam LGA, resulting in significant loss of life and property.
