An elderly man has been killed by his abductors after his family paid a N700,000 ransom, highlighting the alarming state of insecurity.
An 85-year-old man, Deh Idi Dakum, was killed by kidnappers in Matelem Village, located in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. This tragic incident occurred even after his family had paid part of the ransom demanded for his release.
Sharing the harrowing experience, Bala Dakum, one of the victim’s sons, disclosed that his father—who was honored with the traditional title of Galadima Nyam in Tagur District—was kidnapped on the evening of November 18, 2024. A few days afterward, his body was found several kilometers away from their home.
“He explained that on November 18, 2024, around 7 pm in our village, he was kidnapped. The abductors seized his phone and my mother’s as well. My brother Moses made several calls to the phone until finally reaching the kidnappers on November 19. They initially demanded N2 million but agreed to accept N700,000 instead, which we managed to gather and pay by November 20.”
Dakum mentioned that the family was determined to speak with their father before handing over the ransom. However, the kidnappers asserted he was being held by other gang members nearby. “They guaranteed us his release,” Dakum said. His brother went ahead and paid the ransom, expecting their father’s return by morning, but this did not happen. The following day, despite further assurances from the abductors, he still wasn’t released.
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The family’s worst fears came true on November 23 when Dakum’s body was discovered on a farm roughly a kilometer from their home. “Judging by the condition of his body, it was evident he had been deceased for several days,” Bala stated.
This wasn’t the first time Dakum had been abducted. Bala recalled that his father was taken in February 2023 and let go after the family paid N500,000. “They knew everything about us, including that I’m a lawyer in Abuja,” he added, noting how this fact was used to pressure them during negotiations.
The incident underscores the persistent security issues in Matelem Village. Bala characterized this community, situated close to a border area, as susceptible to continual attacks, prompting many residents to leave.
The family informed Plateau State’s Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adeshina, about the situation. In response, he sent officers to meet with the family and evaluate the location. Attempts to obtain a statement from Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer, were unsuccessful; he refused to comment and abruptly ended his call.
Residents of the area are still struggling with insecurity and are urging authorities for increased protection.
