13-year-old girl dies hours after release from 7-month captivity in Kaduna

A 13-year-old girl has died hours after regaining freedom from seven months of captivity following her abduction from Awon community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

LEADERSHIP reports that the girl was among 11 persons abducted during an attack on Awon community on April 21, 2026, in which two people were reportedly killed.

The President of Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA), Dr Joseph David Ariko, disclosed this while speaking with our correspondent.

Ariko said one of the abducted victims, a woman, escaped from captivity about two months after the incident, leaving 10 others in the hands of their abductors.

He explained that seven of the remaining victims regained their freedom on November 3, 2026, after their families reportedly paid more than N6 million and surrendered three motorcycles to secure their release.

According to him, the total value of the ransom and motorcycles was estimated at about N13 million.

Ariko said the 13-year-old girl died on the same day she regained freedom while receiving medical treatment at a hospital.

He further explained that the victims returned in the early hours of November 3, adding that the girl died while undergoing treatment.

The circumstances surrounding her death and the medical cause have not been established as at the time of filing this report. (LEADERSHIP)