Abducted farmer dies in captivity despite N56m ransom

Kidnappers operating along the Kaduna-Abuja highway have reportedly killed a farmer named Ibrahim Kadafa, also known as Ibro, after collecting a N56 million ransom from his family. The abduction took place on October 28, 2026, when Kadafa and his friend, Mustapha Shelpidi, were harvesting soybeans on his farm near kilometer 30 of the highway. According to Silverbird Television, Kadafa, who lived in Abuja, had traveled to his farm to oversee operations when the armed men attacked and took them captive.

Initially, the kidnappers demanded N100 million ransom, but following negotiations, the amount was reduced to N80 million. The family reportedly paid the reduced sum along with three brand-new mobile phones and a recharge card worth N20,000 in an attempt to secure their loved one's release. However, instead of being reunited with their family, the body of Ibrahim Kadafa was handed over to them on Wednesday, November 11, weeks after the abduction and payment of the ransom.

Family sources revealed that Kadafa sustained a gunshot injury to his leg while attempting to escape during the kidnapping, but they suspect that he did not receive proper medical care during his two weeks in captivity. This complication, they believe, may have contributed to his death. A neighbor of the family, Micah Jaja, expressed the family's devastation, stating that they are currently in shock and mourning.

Jaja confirmed that Kadafa was an indigene of Adamawa State and that the incident occurred along the Kaduna-Abuja highway. He also stated that the corpse had not yet been buried at the time of reporting.

A senior security official familiar with the incident confirmed to Weekend Trust that the body was recovered from the forest and taken to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna. The official condemned the abductors for collecting the ransom and other items before returning the victim's corpse to his family. However, attempts to obtain a statement from the Kaduna State police command were unsuccessful, as their public relations officer, DSP Mansur Hassan, could not be reached for comment.