Boko Haram Storms Adamawa Community, Kidnaps Eight Family Members Including Newborn

Suspected Boko Haram militants have kidnapped eight members of one family, including a one-month-old baby, following a midnight attack on Palam community in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

A relative who escaped the assault told SaharaReporters that the gunmen struck around 2am on Sunday, firing shots as they forced their way into the family’s compound and abducted the victims.

The source said the attackers were searching for the family head, Bitrus Kwavanza, who was reportedly away on a business trip in a nearby community when the raid took place.

“They came asking for my uncle. When they couldn’t find him, they took his family instead,” the source said.

Palam is located in Madagali Local Government Area, the home LGA of Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, underscoring renewed concerns over the worsening security situation even in politically sensitive areas of the state.

On January 20, suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked Kirchinga, Governor Fintiri’s hometown, killing two forest guards and abducting another, in what residents described as a brazen show of insurgent resurgence.

In the latest attack, local sources disclosed that the terrorists arrived on tricycle motorcycles, targeted Kwavanza’s household, and abducted his wife, six children, and an infant grandchild.

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One of the abducted victims, Esther, had reportedly returned home shortly after childbirth to recuperate with her family when the terrorists struck.

“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 made no ransom demand, but contacted the family with a chilling threat.

“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 visibly shaken family member told reporters on Monday evening.

The Chairman of the Madagali Local Government Area confirmed the abduction, describing the security situation 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 of Madagali have repeatedly raised the alarm over what they describe as renewed Boko Haram activity, accusing authorities of failing to provide adequate protection despite repeated attacks, abductions, and killings.