Bandits Kill Kaduna Farmer After Collecting ₦56m Ransom, Return Corpse to Family

Armed bandits have reportedly killed a farmer, Ibrahim Kadafa, despite collecting ₦56 million ransom, three new Samsung mobile phones and a ₦20,000 recharge card from his family following his abduction along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Kadafa, popularly known as Ibro, was abducted alongside his friend, Mustapha Shelpidi, on October 28 while they were harvesting soybeans at their farm around Alheri Camp, approximately 30 kilometres along the Kaduna-Abuja road.

The abductors reportedly demanded an initial ransom of ₦100 million before reducing the amount during negotiations with the victims’ families.

In a desperate attempt to secure their release, Kadafa’s relatives reportedly raised and paid ₦56 million, alongside three brand-new Samsung mobile phones and a recharge card worth ₦20,000.

However, the family received a devastating outcome when they went to collect him on Wednesday, November 11, only to be handed his lifeless body.

Reports quoting family sources indicated that Kadafa sustained a gunshot injury to his leg during the incident surrounding his abduction.

He was allegedly denied medical attention throughout his approximately two weeks in captivity.

His relatives reportedly suspect that complications arising from the untreated injury may have contributed to his death, although the actual medical cause has not been independently established.

The circumstances surrounding his death also remain unclear, particularly how he died while in the custody of the abductors after the ransom demands had reportedly been met.

Meanwhile, the fate of Shelpidi, who was kidnapped alongside Kadafa, remains uncertain, with no confirmed information on whether he has been released or is still being held.

The incident has renewed concerns about the security of farmers and rural residents along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted people for kidnapping and ransom.

The case also highlights the devastating consequences faced by families who raise enormous sums of money to secure the release of abducted relatives but are still unable to guarantee their safe return.

As of the time of filing this report, no official police statement confirming the incident or announcing the arrest of those responsible had been located.