Suspected bandits abducted Malam Hudu Hassan Barau, the Ward Head of Shuwaka (Sarkin Shuwaka) in Kyaram District, Garga community, Kanam Local Government Area, Plateau State. Six days after his abduction, his lifeless body was discovered in a bush around Wanka Forest.
9 Sept 2025 · Garga, Kanam, Plateau
Deaths
1
Injured
0
Kidnapped
0
Total casualties
1
Perpetrators
Bandits
Response
The Kanam Development Association (KADA) condemned the killing and called on the Federal Government, security agencies, and the Plateau State Government to take urgent action to curb the rising insecurity. The police spokesperson had yet to respond to inquiries at the time of reporting. No immediate security intervention was documented.
Displacement
0
Socioeconomic drivers
Banditry-for-ransom economy, intimidation of traditional authority
Trajectory
Incident reflects persistence of abductions targeting monarchs in Plateau.
Cycle notes
This attack echoes the repeated killings and kidnappings of monarchs in Plateau State and across Northern Nigeria, including the 2 January 2018 abduction of Yohanna Sidi Kukah, the Agwom Akulu II of Ikulu (also known as Achuna) in Kaduna State (released after 10 days); the 19 October 2018 kidnapping of Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, the Agom Adara III and paramount ruler of the Adara Chiefdom in Kaduna State, who was later killed in captivity (corpse dumped 26 October 2018); the 27 November 2019 abduction of Mohammed Ibrahim Pada, the traditional ruler of Rubochi in Kuje Area Council of the FCT (released in December 2019); the 20 April 2020 kidnapping of Alhaji Shehu Sulaiman, the Pankwal Bogghom (second-class chief) of Bogghon District in Kanam LGA of Plateau State; the December 2021 (specifically 26 December 2021) abduction of Mr. Charles Mato Dakat, the Sum Pyem and paramount ruler of Gindiri in Mangu LGA of Plateau State (released 30 December 2021); the 16 January 2022 kidnapping of Da Gyang Balak Gut, the Da Gwom Rwei of Vwang District, a traditional ruler in Jos South LGA of Plateau State; the 30 March 2022 abduction of Alhaji Hassan Shamidozhi, the traditional ruler of Bukpe in Kwali Area Council of the FCT; the 1 February 2024 attack on Oba Peter Segun Aremu-Cole, the Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti LGA, Kwara State, who was killed while his wife was abducted (wife later rescued); and the 15 May 2025 abduction of Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Yagba West LGA, Kogi (released after 27 days in June 2025). These incidents continue a long-standing pattern of targeting traditional rulers to destabilize local leadership, undermine social cohesion, and project criminal influence over rural communities, demonstrating that violence against monarchs remains an active and unresolved security challenge across Northern Nigeria.
Pattern
Kidnapping targeting leaders
Related — Kidnapping
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