Adamawa, Nigeria – January 26, 2026
Suspected Boko Haram militants have abducted eight members of a single family, including a one-month-old infant, in a daring midnight raid on Palam community in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
A family member who narrowly escaped the attack told SUNTV that the insurgents stormed the compound around 2 a.m. on Sunday, firing sporadically before forcibly taking the victims.
According to sources, the attackers were specifically searching for the family patriarch, 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 revealed.
Palam, located in Governor Umaru Fintiri’s home local government area, highlights growing concerns over security even in politically sensitive regions of the state. Only days ago, on January 20, suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked Kirchinga, killing two forest guards and abducting another.
Eyewitnesses said the abductors arrived on tricycle motorcycles, targeting Kwavanza’s household. They seized his wife, six children, and an infant grandchild. One of the victims, Esther, had recently returned home after childbirth and was forced to trek into the Sambisa Forest with her family.
As of Monday afternoon, the militants had not made a ransom demand but reportedly contacted the family with chilling threats. “They said they would release the breastfeeding mother, but all the others would be executed in the coming days,” the family source said.
The Chairman of Madagali Local Government confirmed the abduction and described the security situation in the area as 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 continue to raise alarms over a resurgence of Boko Haram activity, citing repeated attacks, abductions, and killings and accusing authorities of failing to provide adequate protection.
