In a chilling case of kidnapping and murder, a woman has been found dead after being abducted from her home in the Chikakore area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Esther Adesiyan was taken by gunmen in the early hours of Monday, January 29, alongside her husband, Akinropo Michael Adesiyan, their son, Ifeoluwa, and a relative, Dr. Adekunle Adeniji.
The attack occurred around 11:30 pm on Sunday, with the armed kidnappers first targeting the Adesiyan residence and then proceeding to a nearby poultry farm where they also abducted a worker. While the poultry worker’s wife sustained injuries during the raid, she was later treated at the Kubwa General Hospital.
The kidnappers, however, did not leave without causing further trauma. Esther Adesiyan’s body was discovered just a day later in the Itagbajii village of Niger State, approximately 24 hours after the brutal abduction.
Kidnappers Leave Clue in Death
According to a family source who spoke on condition of anonymity, Esther’s body was discovered by local vigilantes early on Tuesday morning. “They were alerted about the body and contacted the vigilantes in Chikakore,” the source explained. “The body was identified as that of Esther Adesiyan. The Byazhin police station quickly responded, and we transported her remains to Kubwa General Hospital.”
The source also revealed that Esther’s death is suspected to have resulted from exhaustion after being marched through rough terrain by the kidnappers. “It seems she was too weak to continue the journey, and the abductors killed her, abandoning her in the bush before moving on with the other victims.”
Fears Over Missing Family Members
As of the time of writing, Esther’s husband, Akinropo, their son Ifeoluwa, and the other abductees remain missing. The kidnappers have yet to make any demands or contact the family, raising concerns over their fate.
“We are living in fear and uncertainty,” the anonymous family member said. “We pray that the authorities do everything possible to bring them back home.”
Esther leaves behind four children, including her son Ifeoluwa, who was abducted along with her.
Police and Vigilante Action in Recovery Efforts
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Josephine Adeh, confirmed the abduction in an official statement and reassured the public that efforts were underway to secure the safe return of the victims. “We have commenced a full-scale search and rescue operation,” Adeh said. “We call on residents to stay vigilant and report any information that could assist in apprehending the criminals.”
A key witness, Oluwafemi Adepoju, a co-worker of Akinropo Adesiyan, also recounted his involvement in the body’s identification. “The Divisional Police Officer at Byazhin called me early in the morning,” he said. “I was informed that we needed to go to Niger State to identify the body. When we arrived, I immediately recognized her as Akinropo’s wife.”
The search for the other hostages continues, with local vigilantes and police working in tandem. According to local reports, the body was recovered after the vigilantes heard a gunshot on Monday evening while patrolling near Itagbajii village.
Desperate Search for the Remaining Victims
Though police and vigilante groups have worked diligently to locate the other hostages, the gunmen remain at large, and the motive for the attack is unclear. Experts suggest that the rise in violent kidnappings in recent years could be attributed to increasing desperation among criminal elements, as well as a lack of robust security infrastructure in certain parts of the country.
In Kubwa and other parts of Abuja, residents are on edge, with many questioning the effectiveness of local law enforcement. “How could they take a woman from her home, and no one could stop them?” one concerned neighbor said. “It’s scary to think that this could happen to anyone in our neighborhood.”
In the aftermath, there have been growing calls for improved security measures, especially in satellite towns like Kubwa, where crime rates have been steadily rising. The case of Esther Adesiyan’s murder has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Nigerians in suburban areas to organized criminal gangs.
Nigerian Police and Vigilante Collaboration
While the search continues, the joint operation between local vigilantes and the police has been hailed as an effective collaboration in rural communities. Vigilantes, often the first line of defense in areas with limited police presence, have played a crucial role in the recovery of the victim’s body.
“We were patrolling when we heard a gunshot. We immediately began to search the area and found her,” said one of the vigilantes involved in the operation. “It’s a relief that we could help, but we still have much work to do to find the others.”
While the search efforts continue, law enforcement agencies are under intense pressure to act quickly. With the kidnapping epidemic sweeping across Nigeria, the safety of citizens, especially those in vulnerable regions like Kubwa, is increasingly called into question.
The Broader Issue of Kidnapping in Nigeria
The abduction and murder of Esther Adesiyan is a stark reminder of the worsening security crisis in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas. Kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative criminal activity in various parts of the country, with many cases going unresolved due to either a lack of evidence or the inability of local police to effectively combat the criminal elements.
In recent years, there has been a surge in cases involving the abduction of wealthy families and prominent individuals, as well as their associates, making national headlines.
Despite efforts by the Nigerian government to curb the menace, including increased military presence in certain regions, the problem persists. As of now, the fate of Akinropo Adesiyan and his family members hangs in the balance.
Residents of Chikakore and surrounding communities have been urged to remain calm as the search for the missing individuals continues.