A heavily pregnant woman who was abducted along with her daughter in Plateau State has given birth prematurely while held captive, shortly after learning that gunmen had killed her husband.
The tragedy unfolded in Kyaram community, Garga district, Kanam Local Government Area, when armed gunmen stormed the family’s home in the early hours of Sunday, January 18, 2026, shot Umar Rufa’i dead, and abducted his wife and daughter to an unknown location.
Truth Live News learnt that the National Secretary of the Kanam Development Association (KADA), Shehu Kanam, disclosed the details in a statement released to journalists in Jos on Monday.
“We are shocked and saddened by the brutal killing of Umar at his residence in Kyaram community, Garga area of Kanam Local Government Area, on January 17, 2026, around midnight. The bandits also abducted his wife and daughter, who are still in captivity,” Kanam said.
Kanam added that the traumatised woman delivered the baby after the kidnappers informed relatives of the birth via phone call a few hours post-abduction.
“The report we received this morning is that the bandits called and informed the family that the wife of the deceased gave birth today while in captivity. This is very heartbreaking, imagine the condition through which she delivered,” the statement added.
Rufa’i was buried according to Islamic rites on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Kanam condemned the attack, expressing deepest condolences to the bereaved family and the Kyaram community.
He lamented the persistent banditry plaguing Garga district, characterized by frequent killings and abductions.
“Despite our appeals to the government, the situation remains unchanged. We urge the authorities to take immediate action to address this crisis,” Kanam stated.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in rural parts of Kanam LGA, where communities continue to face threats from armed groups despite repeated calls for stronger intervention by security agencies and the Plateau State government.
The abducted woman and her daughter, along with the newborn, remain in captivity, with no further details on their condition or ransom demands released at the time of this report.
