Suspected Boko Haram militants have kidnapped eight members of a single family, including a one-month-old baby, during a pre-dawn raid in Palam, Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
A family member who narrowly escaped the attack said that the assailants stormed their compound around 2 a.m. on Sunday, firing sporadically before abducting the victims.
According to the source, the attackers were specifically targeting the head of the household, Bitrus Kwavanza, who was away on a business trip at the time.
“They came asking for my uncle. When they couldn’t find him, they took his family instead,” the source said.
Palam is part of Madagali, the hometown of Governor Umaru Fintiri, highlighting growing security concerns even in politically sensitive areas of the state.
Residents recalled a similar incident on January 20, when suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked Kirchinga, another of Governor Fintiri’s hometowns, killing two forest guards and abducting another person, a sign of the insurgents’ apparent resurgence.
In the latest raid, local sources said the militants arrived on tricycles, raided Kwavanza’s home, and kidnapped his wife, six children, and an infant grandchild. One of the victims, Esther, had recently returned home after childbirth when the attack occurred.
“She had just given birth and came home to rest. She was forced to trek into the Sambisa Forest with her mother, siblings, and her baby,” the source recounted.
As of Monday afternoon, the abductors had not made any ransom demands but reportedly issued a chilling threat to the family.
“They called my uncle and said they would release the breastfeeding mother, but that all the others would be executed in the coming days,” the family member said.
The Chairman of Madagali Local Government confirmed the abduction, describing the security situation in the area as rapidly deteriorating.
“Yes, the incident happened. The security situation is worsening. We are awaiting updates from the security forces handling the matter,” he said.
Residents have repeatedly warned of renewed Boko Haram activity, accusing authorities of failing to provide adequate protection despite ongoing attacks, abductions, and killings.
