A mother and her son, Joshua, who were abducted in Kaduna State have been killed in captivity, according to reports from the community.
Abduction and Ransom Demand
Bandits abducted Joshua's mother in December 2025 in Bayan Dutse Narayi, Kaduna South, and demanded a ransom that the family and members of the community could not afford. A community member named Noble confirmed the tragic development in a Facebook post on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
The family was unable to raise the required amount within the stipulated time. Joshua then took on the responsibility of delivering the funds they had managed to gather, hoping to negotiate for his mother's release.
Discovery and Further Tragedy
When Joshua arrived at the kidnappers' den, he discovered that his mother had already died in captivity. The kidnappers collected the ransom, seized Joshua, and allegedly tortured him to death.
Noble wrote: “To the Government and Security Authorities of Kaduna State, we write to express our deep sorrow and concern over the tragic loss of a beloved mother and her firstborn son, victims of the growing insecurity and kidnapping crisis affecting communities in Kaduna State.”
Community Mourning
He described the woman as widely known in her community as a kind, cheerful, and compassionate individual whose presence brought joy and comfort. Her sudden abduction in December 2025 came as a devastating shock to her family, friends, and neighbours.
Following her kidnapping, her captors demanded a ransom amount far beyond the financial capacity of her family and community members. Despite desperate efforts to secure her freedom, the family could not raise the required amount in time.
Son's Courage and Death
In an effort to save his mother, her firstborn son courageously undertook the responsibility of delivering funds in the hope of negotiating her release. Tragically, upon arrival, he discovered that his mother had already lost her life while in captivity. The ordeal did not end there: the son himself was reportedly seized by the kidnappers and subjected to further abuse. The family endured additional anguish as they received distressing communications regarding his condition. Sadly, he also lost his life, leaving behind a grieving family, including his wife and children.
Call for Action
This heartbreaking incident highlights the severe impact of insecurity on ordinary citizens and the devastating consequences for families and communities. It also raises urgent concerns about the effectiveness of current efforts to combat kidnapping and violent crime in the region. Noble called on Senator Uba Sani, General CG Musa, and the Armed Forces to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book. He stated: “This can't be normalize, it must stop!!”
