They Left Every Other Passenger And Took Only Her! Kogi Councillor Rosemary Adukwu Found Dead After Abduction

By Passman Akpos

A councillor representing Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Rosemary Adukwu, has reportedly been killed by suspected kidnappers days after she was abducted while travelling to Onitsha, Anambra State, to restock her business.

The tragic incident has sparked grief and outrage across her community, with her family raising questions about the circumstances surrounding her abduction and death.

Adukwu was reportedly travelling in a commercial vehicle on September 30, 2026, when suspected kidnappers intercepted the vehicle around the Oji River axis, near the boundary between Enugu and Anambra states.

According to accounts provided by the family, the assailants mounted a barricade on the road, stopped the vehicle and forcibly removed the councillor before taking her to an undisclosed location in a nearby forest.

The other passengers in the vehicle were reportedly left unharmed and allowed to continue their journey.

Almost a week after the incident, the Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Dr. Ameh Williams, announced her death in a statement issued on Friday.

The chairman described the deceased as a sister and colleague whose death was a painful loss to the local government and its legislative council.

The statement read, “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden demise of our dear sister and colleague, Hon. Mrs. Rosemary Adukwu, the honourable councillor representing the good people of Ogugu Ward III in the eighth Olamaboro Legislative Council.”

Williams disclosed that her death was confirmed on Thursday while she was still reportedly in captivity.

Family Questions Circumstances Of Abduction And Death

While the announcement of Adukwu’s death has plunged her family and community into mourning, relatives have expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to a family source, the suspected kidnappers allegedly singled out the councillor from among the passengers in the vehicle and did not contact her family to demand a ransom throughout the period she was held captive.

The source said the family became increasingly worried after several days without communication from the abductors, prompting them to seek assistance from security operatives.

The family reportedly began tracking her mobile phone number in an effort to establish her whereabouts.

Recounting the incident, the source explained that Adukwu regularly travelled to Onitsha to purchase goods for her business and had arranged the trip with her usual commercial driver after confirming that the market would operate on October 1.

The source said, “Hon. Rosemary Adukwu used to board this particular driver’s vehicle to Onitsha market to restock her business. On 30th September, she left for Onitsha after confirming from her usual driver that the market would hold on 1st October.

“At the boundary community between Enugu and Anambra states, precisely around Oji River, their vehicle ran into a barricade mounted by some people. Thereafter, the hoodlums dragged only her out of the vehicle and took her to an unknown destination. The other passengers continued their journey untouched.

“Her abductors did not contact the family for ransom for almost a week. Confused, the family contacted security operatives who tracked her cellphone phone. On Thursday, a voice announced while receiving the call that the owner of the phone is dead.”

The reported absence of ransom demands and the alleged decision to abduct only Adukwu have raised questions among her relatives about the circumstances of the attack.

However, the available information does not establish why she was singled out or whether the attack was connected to her political position or business activities.

Driver, Phone Receiver Reportedly Arrested

The family source further disclosed that the driver of the commercial vehicle and the individual who reportedly answered a call made to the councillor’s mobile phone had been arrested.

According to the source, both individuals were assisting security operatives with investigations into the incident.

It remains unclear whether the arrests were connected to specific evidence or suspicions regarding the abduction.

The circumstances surrounding the councillor’s death, including the identity of the perpetrators and their possible motives, had not been officially established in the information available at the time of filing this report.

The arrests could prove significant to investigators seeking to reconstruct the events leading to the abduction and determine how the victim’s mobile phone came into the possession of another individual.

Ogugu District Union Condemns Killing

The President-General and National Executive of the Ogugu District Union (ODU), Deacon Samuel Ige Agada, have condemned what they described as the kidnapping and brutal killing of the councillor.

The union expressed sadness over her death, describing her as a grassroots leader, businesswoman, wife and mother who was committed to providing for her family.

Agada said the incident represented a devastating loss not only to Adukwu’s immediate family and Ogugu Ward III but also to the wider Ogugu community, UBELE District, Ogugu Chiefdom, Olamaboro Local Government Area and Kogi State.

He said, “Hon. Adukwu was a dedicated grassroots leader, a hardworking businesswoman and a devoted mother and wife who was only striving to earn a living for her family.

“This is a painful loss not only to her family and Ogugu Ward III, but to UBELE District, Ogugu Chiefdom, Olamaboro LGA and Kogi State at large. We condemn this barbaric act in its totality.”

The union’s statement adds to growing calls for answers over the circumstances surrounding the killing and for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice.

Police Yet To Comment

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, had not responded to inquiries concerning the incident.

Consequently, several critical details, including the precise circumstances of Adukwu’s death, the identities of the suspected abductors and the possible motive behind the attack, remain unclear.

Further clarification from the police and other relevant security agencies is expected to be important in addressing the concerns raised by the family and community.

Councillor Buried In Ogugu

Despite the unanswered questions surrounding her death, reports indicated that Adukwu was buried at approximately 1 p.m. on Friday at her family compound in Ogugu Centre.

Her death has left her family, colleagues and constituents mourning the loss of an elected representative who was also engaged in business to support her household.

As investigations reportedly continue, attention is likely to focus on the circumstances of her abduction, the information obtained from the arrested individuals and the steps security agencies will take to establish what happened to the councillor.

For her grieving family and community, the central questions remain: Why was she reportedly singled out from the other passengers, what happened during the days she was held captive, and who was responsible for her death?

The answers will depend on the outcome of a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities.