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Suspected kidnappers have killed a seven-year-old boy, Abdullahi Rabi’u, hours after demanding a ₦2.5 million ransom from his family in Majema, along Ring Road, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The boy was reportedly abducted on Monday evening after his family sent him on an errand to a neighbour’s house. His body was discovered on Tuesday evening in a narrow passage near his residence.
The incident has renewed concerns about kidnapping and other security threats facing residents across Plateau State, where several communities have reported deadly attacks in recent weeks.
Abdullahi’s family is calling for an investigation into the abduction and killing, as the identities of those responsible remain unknown.
How Seven-Year-Old Abdullahi Rabi’u Disappeared
The victim’s uncle, Sukairaj Danladi Gado, said the boy left home on Monday evening to deliver a message to a neighbour but did not return.
According to Gado, the family became worried when Abdullahi failed to come home and began searching for him.
The family reportedly received a call from an unidentified number on Tuesday morning. The caller allegedly demanded ₦2.5 million and claimed the child had been kidnapped.
Gado said the family was willing to pay the ransom because its priority was to secure the boy’s safe return.
“We agreed to pay the ransom because we wanted the boy to return home alive,” he said, describing the discovery of the child’s body as devastating.
The family was later informed that Abdullahi’s body had been found in a narrow passage close to their residence on Tuesday evening.
The available account did not establish how or where the boy was killed. It also did not indicate whether the family transferred any money before his body was discovered.
Family Calls For Investigation Into Killing
Gado expressed concern that the suspected kidnappers might be familiar with the neighbourhood, although he did not provide evidence identifying them or establishing their connection to the area.
He urged security agencies to investigate the incident, trace the telephone number used to demand the ransom and identify those responsible.
The family also called for the circumstances surrounding Abdullahi’s death to be established and for anyone found culpable to face prosecution.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official reaction from security operatives had been unsuccessful. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made.
Recent Attacks Raise Security Concerns In Plateau
The killing comes amid reports of deadly attacks in several parts of Plateau State, including Jos South, Bokkos, Mangu, Riyom and Barkin Ladi.
According to a report published by The Sun on October 6, separate attacks in Jos South and Bokkos on October 5 left three people dead and eight others injured.
In Mangor, Bokkos LGA, suspected gunmen reportedly attacked a neighbourhood watch post at Angwan Tsarki around 11pm, killing two vigilantes and injuring three others.
In a separate incident, a vehicle carrying traders returning from Kara Bukuru Livestock Market in Jos South reportedly came under gunfire. One person, identified as Musa Abubakar, was killed, while seven others were injured.
The Plateau State Police Command reportedly confirmed the attack on the traders and said the injured victims were taken to the Military Clinic at Rukuba Barracks in Jos for treatment.
Police also said tactical and anti-robbery teams had been deployed to strengthen security, while intelligence gathering was intensified to identify and arrest those responsible.
At Least 13 Reported Killed In Further Attacks
A report published by The Guardian on October 7 said at least 13 people were killed in separate attacks in Jos South, Mangu and Riyom local government areas.
Nine victims were reportedly passengers travelling towards Jos when suspected gunmen opened fire on their vehicle at Dungus in Jos South at about 9:40pm.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association, confirmed the incident, according to the report. Some injured passengers were taken to hospitals, where some later died.
Other deaths were reported in Mangu and Riyom, although the circumstances surrounding the separate incidents were not fully established in the account.
An unidentified man’s body was also reportedly discovered behind the Monday Market in Pankshin LGA. Community members alerted security operatives, who took the remains to General Hospital, Pankshin, while efforts were made to establish the deceased’s identity.
The circumstances of that death had not been confirmed by police at the time of the report.
Youth Leader Killed In Barkin Ladi
In another incident, gunmen reportedly killed Paul Danladi, a youth leader and former chairman of the Berom Youth Moulders Association in Gashish District, Barkin Ladi LGA.
According to Premium Times, published on October 8, Danladi was killed around 6pm on October 7 near Rantis Village along the Gashish-Barkin Ladi road while riding his motorcycle towards Barkin Ladi.
The association confirmed his death and called on security agencies to investigate the killing and arrest those responsible. It also reported separate attacks in which two people were injured.
The incident added to concerns about the safety of residents travelling between communities and the security of vulnerable routes.
Military Reports Arrests Of Suspected Kidnap Syndicate Members
Security agencies have also reported operations targeting suspected criminal networks in Plateau State.
According to a Premium Times report published on September 21, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested 11 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and rescued two abducted victims during separate operations.
The operations reportedly included raids on suspected hideouts around Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills in the Jos North area.
The military said information provided by rescued victims helped investigators identify some suspects. Weapons were also reportedly recovered during other operations in parts of the state.
The reported arrests demonstrate ongoing security operations, but the latest killing highlights continuing concerns about abductions and the safety of residents.
For Abdullahi’s family, the immediate demand is justice for the seven-year-old. Investigators have yet to establish the identities of the suspected kidnappers and the full circumstances surrounding his death.
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