Gunmen attacked the palace of the paramount ruler of Gindiri chiefdom in Mangu LGA, Plateau State, and abducted Charles Mato Dakat (the Sum Pyem). The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, between 1:00 am and 2:00 am. The monarch was in the palace alone at the time, as his wife had traveled to Jos and his children were not around. The assailants fired heavy gunshots, causing panic in the community.
26 Dec 2021 · Gindiri, Mangu, Plateau
Deaths
0
Injured
0
Kidnapped
1
Total casualties
0
Perpetrators
Unidentified Armed Actors
Response
Security operatives, including troops of Operation Safe Haven, were deployed and mobilized to the area to search for the abducted monarch. The Police Public Relations Officer confirmed that security agencies were on the trail of the abductors.
Displacement
0
Socioeconomic drivers
Weak security presence in parts of Plateau State, 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 North-Central and Northwest Nigeria in 2021. The monarch's release after five days, coupled with the arrest of eight suspects, reflects the growing involvement of security forces (like Operation Safe Haven) in responding to such incidents.
Cycle notes
The abduction of Charles Mato Dakat, the Sum Pyem of Gindiri in Mangu LGA of Plateau State on 26 December 2021 directly echoed the 2 January 2018 abduction of Yohanna Sidi Kukah, the Agwom Akulu II of Ikulu in Kaduna State, and the 19 October 2018 killing of Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, the Agom Adara III of the Adara Chiefdom in Kaduna State, reflecting a sustained pattern of targeting traditional rulers in both Kaduna and Plateau States. This incident also connects to the other confirmed cases: the 27 November 2019 abduction of Mohammed Ibrahim Pada, the traditional ruler of Rubochi in Kuje Area Council of the FCT; the 20 April 2020 kidnapping of Alhaji Shehu Sulaiman, the Pankwal Bogghom of Bogghon District in Kanam 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; the 1 February 2024 killing of Oba Peter Segun Aremu-Cole, the Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti LGA of Kwara State; and the 15 May 2025 abduction of Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Yagba West LGA of Kogi . Together, these 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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At least two miners, Gora Alhaji Mai-Mota and Gora Alhaji Mani (both residents of Ketaren-Kago village), were abducted by gunmen who stormed a mining site at Kangon-Inga village in Katako District, Rafi Local Government Area, Niger, at approximately 4:30 p.m.