Abducted Kaduna Woman, Interstate Driver Found Dead in Kogi Forest After ₦3.5 Million Ransom Payment

    

The bodies of a Kaduna based woman, Loveth Zarah Alegbe, and an interstate commercial driver, Nweke Bartholomew Chukwuma, have been found in a forest in Kogi State despite a reported ₦3.5 million ransom payment made by their families in a desperate bid to secure their release.

According to sources, the victims were abducted in separate incidents on January 6, 2026, but were later discovered to have been held by the same criminal gang operating across parts of Kogi State. Their lifeless bodies were eventually discovered in the Abocho area of Dekina Local Government Area, a forested zone that has gained notoriety for repeated kidnapping activities.

Loveth Zarah Alegbe, described by relatives as a young woman based in Kaduna State, was reportedly kidnapped while travelling through Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State. In a related incident, Nweke Bartholomew Chukwuma, an interstate driver conveying passengers from Abuja to the eastern part of Nigeria, was intercepted by armed men along his route and taken into captivity.

Family sources revealed that the kidnappers later contacted relatives of the victims and demanded a ransom of ₦3.5 million for their release. After days of negotiations and frantic fundraising, the families reportedly raised and paid the full amount, believing it would lead to the safe return of their loved ones.

However, shortly after the ransom was paid, the abductors allegedly stopped responding to phone calls and failed to provide any information on the whereabouts of the captives. The prolonged silence raised fears among relatives and community members, prompting a search by local contacts, which eventually led to the tragic discovery in the forest.

Security operatives were immediately alerted, and the Nigeria Police reportedly assisted in evacuating the bodies from the area. Chukwuma’s remains were later transported to Enugu State for burial preparations by his family, while Loveth Alegbe’s body was returned to Kaduna State for final rites.

The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over insecurity and the persistence of kidnapping gangs in Kogi State, particularly along major highways. Residents and travellers have continued to call on security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to secure the roads and dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.