In a shocking act of cruelty, bandits in Kaduna State killed a retired teacher and former local government Education Secretary, only to collect a ransom from his grieving family a full month after his death. The incident has sent waves of anger and despair through the Kajuru community, highlighting severe security failures.
The Abduction and Tragic Outcome
Samuel Abi Dangiwa, the respected former Education Secretary for Kajuru Local Government Area, was abducted alongside six others. The kidnapping took place on Monday, September 15, 2025, in Kufana village along the volatile Kaduna-Kachia Road.
For weeks, his family negotiated with the captors, clinging to hope for his safe return. Driven by desperation, they eventually gathered and paid the demanded ransom. However, in a devastating twist, it was later revealed that Dangiwa had already been killed by his abductors approximately one month before the payment was made.
Community Leader Reveals Harrowing Truth
The tragic details were confirmed by a community leader and associate of the deceased, Chief Suleiman Gambo Maro. In a poignant statement titled "After Dangiwa, What Next?", Chief Maro laid bare the community's grief and frustration.
"The most devastating revelation was that he had already been killed a month before the ransom was even paid," Maro stated. "His family, acting out of desperation and hope, unknowingly fulfilled the demands of criminals while their father lay buried beneath the earth."
Chief Maro praised Dangiwa's decade of service as Education Secretary, noting he was widely respected for his fairness and dedication. The community had even urged him to venture into politics, seeing him as a credible candidate for representation.
A Call for Justice and Systemic Change
Chief Maro framed the killing not just as a personal tragedy but as a symptom of deeper crises plaguing the area. He pointed to chronic insecurity, political exclusion, and long-standing government neglect as root causes that enabled such brutality.
He issued a forceful call for action and accountability, warning that allowing the murder to go unpunished would deepen communal frustration and despair. "Kajuru deserves justice, proper representation, and restored dignity," Maro concluded. "This begins with uncovering the truth behind Dangiwa’s murder and holding those responsible accountable."
The unresolved murder has heightened fears in Kajuru, with residents questioning the effectiveness of security measures and the government's commitment to protecting its citizens from bandit attacks and kidnappings.
