Abducted Widow Choked To Death By Bandits In Kaduna State After Family Couldn’t Raise N10 Million Ransom

A Kaduna widow identified as Mama Mary was allegedly choked to death by bandits after her family failed to raise the N10 million ransom demanded for her release.

Security analyst and former governorship aide, Reuben Buhari, disclosed the incident in a Facebook post, saying the widow was killed weeks after speaking publicly about the plight of displaced residents in her community.

According to Buhari, Mama Mary was originally from Ariko village but had relocated to Kateri because of worsening insecurity in her hometown.

He said the widow spoke at a protest on June 15, where she highlighted the suffering of people displaced by insecurity and living in Kateri.

Thirteen days later, Mama Mary reportedly travelled towards Ariko and was allegedly kidnapped alongside three other people.

Buhari said the abductors subsequently demanded N10 million for her release. However, her family was reportedly only able to raise N2 million.

He alleged that on August 15, the bandits chained Mama Mary by the neck and left her to choke to death after the ransom demand was not met.

Her body was reportedly abandoned by the roadside, according to Buhari.

The widow is survived by four children.

Buhari appealed for prayers for the deceased’s children, while drawing attention to the growing hardship faced by families living in communities affected by insecurity and abductions.

The circumstances surrounding the reported killing could not be independently verified.