Suspected kidnappers have reportedly killed Hon. Rosemary Adukwu, councillor representing Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, after abducting her from a commercial vehicle around Oji River, between Enugu and Anambra states, on September 30, 2026.
The Chairman of Olamaboro LGA, Dr Ameh Williams, announced her death on Friday, October 9, saying it was confirmed on Thursday while she was still in captivity. The circumstances surrounding her death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
Adukwu was reportedly travelling to Onitsha, Anambra State, to restock her business when the vehicle she boarded encountered a barricade mounted by suspected kidnappers around Oji River.
According to a family source, the assailants dragged the councillor out of the vehicle and took her to an undisclosed location, leaving the other passengers unharmed.
The source said the family became worried after the abductors failed to contact them for ransom for several days.
The family subsequently contacted security operatives, who reportedly tracked the councillor’s mobile telephone number.
The source said the person who answered the call disclosed that the owner of the phone was dead.
“Hon. Rosemary Adukwu used to board this particular driver’s vehicle to Onitsha market to restock her business,” the source said.
The source added that the councillor had confirmed her travel plans with her regular driver before leaving for the market.
The family also raised concerns over the circumstances of the abduction, particularly the reported decision of the assailants to single out Adukwu while leaving the other passengers untouched.
The driver and the person who reportedly answered the councillor’s phone were said to have been arrested and were assisting security operatives with the investigation.
However, the police had yet to publicly clarify the circumstances of the incident.
The President-General of Ogugu District Union, Deacon Samuel Ige Agada, condemned the killing, describing it as a painful loss to the community.
Agada said Adukwu was a grassroots leader, businesswoman, wife and mother who worked to provide 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,” he said.
He condemned the incident and called attention to the loss suffered by the community.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Kogi State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Adukwu was buried at about 1pm on Friday at her family compound in Ogugu Centre, according to the report.
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