Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers stormed the residence of Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Pada, the traditional ruler (third-class chief) of Rubochi in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and abducted him. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, November 27, around 1:30 AM to 2:00 AM. The gunmen, numbering over 40 and wearing army camouflage, forced their way into the monarch's bedroom and whisked him away amidst sporadic gunshots. Two of the traditional ruler's sons sustained various degrees of machete cut injuries while attempting to rescue their father. The entire community was thrown into pandemonium due to the shooting
27 Nov 2019 · Rubochi, Kuje Area Council, FCT
Deaths
0
Injured
2
Kidnapped
1
Total casualties
2
Perpetrators
Unidentified Armed Actors
Response
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rubochi, SP Michael Ada, confirmed the incident and stated that the command immediately formed a search-and-rescue team to work on securing the traditional ruler's release. The FCT Police Command's deputy spokesperson, ASP Maryam Yusuf, also confirmed the kidnap and said efforts were ongoing to ensure the monarch was rescued alive and unhurt. Soldiers were also seen patrolling the community. A contact was established with the kidnappers on the morning of the abduction, but ransom negotiations had not yet begun at that point
Displacement
0
Socioeconomic drivers
Weak security presence in the FCT outskirts, enabling criminal networks to operate with relative impunity.
Trajectory
This incident was part of a broader wave of kidnappings targeting traditional rulers and elites across the FCT and neighboring states in 2019. The monarch was released unhurt on Saturday, November 30, after four days in captivity, following the payment of a N6.5 million ransom. He was released in a forest near Gbawodi village in Toto LGA, Nasarawa State
Cycle notes
The abduction of Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Pada, the traditional ruler (third-class chief) of Rubochi in Kuje Area Council of the FCT on 27 November 2019 echoed the 1 February 2024 killing of Oba Peter Segun Aremu-Cole, the Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti LGA of Kwara State, and reflects a sustained pattern of targeting traditional leaders in the North-Central region. This incident also follows the 2 January 2018 abduction of Yohanna Sidi Kukah, the Agwom Akulu II of Ikulu in Kaduna State, and the 19 October 2018 kidnapping and killing of Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, the Agom Adara III of the Adara Chiefdom in Kaduna State. It also precedes the later confirmed incidents of the 20 April 2020 kidnapping of Alhaji Shehu Sulaiman, the Pankwal Bogghom of Bogghon District in Kanam LGA of Plateau State; the 26 December 2021 abduction of Charles Mato Dakat, the Sum Pyem of Gindiri in Mangu LGA of Plateau State; the 16 January 2022 kidnapping of Da Gyang Balak Gut, the Da Gwom Rwei of Vwang District in Jos South LGA of Plateau State; the 30 March 2022 abduction of Hassan Shamidozhi, the traditional ruler of Bukpe in Kwali Area Council of the FCT; and the 15 May 2025 abduction of Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Yagba West LGA of Kogi . Together, these cases of monarch kidnappings and killings demonstrate a sustained pattern of targeting traditional rulers across Northern Nigeria, with some released after ransom payment and others killed when demands were not met or for other criminal motives.
Pattern
Traditional ruler kidnapping
Related — Kidnapping
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Gunmen attacked a commercial vehicle along the Itobe–Anyigba road in Adavi LGA, Kogi . The driver escaped, but nine passengers were abducted.
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