Kidnappers kill seven-year-old boy after asking for ₦2.5m ransom

A seven-year-old boy, Abdullahi Rabi’u, has been found dead in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. This happened just hours after suspected kidnappers asked his family for a ransom of ₦2.5 million.

His uncle, Sukairaj Gado, said the boy went missing on Monday evening. He had been sent on an errand to a neighbor’s house in the Majema area along Ring Road.

Mr Gado mentioned that the boy delivered the message but did not come back home, which led to a search for him.

On Tuesday morning, the family got a phone call from an unknown number. The caller asked for ₦2.5 million and said the boy had been kidnapped.

The family hoped to get their child back safe. But they were heartbroken when they later learned of his death, Mr Gado said.

He explained that Abdullahi’s body was found on Tuesday evening in a narrow passage near their house. The family and the people in their neighborhood are now in mourning.

Mr Gado believes the kidnappers might know the area well. He called on security agencies to look into the case and catch those responsible.

This incident follows earlier reports of missing people who were later found dead in Plateau State. In December 2024, a 10-year-old boy, Tasi’u Abdullahi, was also kidnapped in the Rikkos community of Jos North. His family received a ransom demand before his body was discovered.

The details about how Abdullahi Rabi’u was killed are still unclear. It is also not known if any suspects have been arrested.

Attempts to reach the police for more information on the case were unsuccessful. The phone number of Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, did not connect when this report was being prepared.

As of now, the police have not confirmed the ransom demand or shared any details about an investigation.