What Causes Death of Former Jigawa Lawmaker in Bandits’ Captivity After Kaduna-Abuja Kidnap

Abba Anas Adamu, a former member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa State, has died while in captivity after being abducted by bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Abba, a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was kidnapped last Wednesday while travelling from Kano to Abuja for a political meeting.

He represented the Guri, Kiri-Kasamma and Birniwa federal constituency in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011.

According to residents familiar with the incident, the former lawmaker was abducted alongside a colleague, Ali Tukur, before both men were reportedly taken into the bush near Jere by their captors.

The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦200 million for their release.

Residents said prolonged negotiations later reduced the demand to ₦50 million, after which Mr Tukur was released.

However, Abba reportedly died while still in captivity.

Sources said the former lawmaker suffered from asthma and hypertension and was allegedly denied access to his medication during the period of captivity, worsening his condition.

Sabo Nakudu, an ADC chieftain, confirmed the death in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Monday afternoon.

“I condole with the family of the late Abba Anas Adamu, who was killed by gunmen after being held for days. I pray for his departed soul to rest in Jannatul Firdaus,” Nakudu wrote.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police Command, Lawan Adam, said he had not yet received an official briefing on the incident.

The Kaduna-Abuja highway has remained a major security concern in recent years, with repeated incidents of kidnapping and armed attacks reported along the route.