Hon. Rosemary Adukwu, the elected councillor for Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of [Kogi State](https://www.kogi.gov.ng/), was reported dead after being kidnapped on 30 September 2026, according to statements from local officials.
**What transpired during the abduction?**
On the afternoon of 30 September, Adukwu boarded a commercial vehicle bound for Onitsha market. While the vehicle was crossing the Oji River axis between Enugu and Anambra states, armed men set up a roadblock, forced the vehicle to stop and dragged only the councillor out, taking her to an undisclosed forest hideout. The remaining passengers were allowed to continue their journey.
**When was her death confirmed?**
A week after the kidnapping, Dr. Ameh Williams, chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, issued a statement on Friday confirming that Adukwu had died while in captivity. The announcement cited a voice message intercepted when the victim’s cellphone was tracked, in which a caller announced the owner was dead.
**How did authorities respond?**
The driver of the commercial vehicle and the individual who answered the cellphone call were detained and are cooperating with investigators. The spokesperson for the [Kogi State Police Command](https://www.npf.gov.ng/) declined to comment at the time of reporting.
**What reactions followed the tragedy?**
Deacon Samuel Ige Agada, President‑General of the Ogugu District Union, condemned the incident as “barbaric,” describing Adukwu as a dedicated grassroots leader, businesswoman, mother and wife. He expressed that the loss affected not only her family but also the wider Ogugu community and Kogi State.
**Family’s concerns**
A family source alleged that kidnappers singled out Adukwu, left other passengers untouched, and failed to demand ransom for nearly a week. The source recounted that the family only learned of her death after security operatives traced her cellphone and heard the fatal voice message.
Hon. Rosemary Adukwu was buried around 1 p.m. on Friday at her family compound in Ogugu Centre.