The Village Head of Dutsan Gaya in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Maitala Ariga Makama, has been found dead following his reported abduction by a local vigilante group, Yan Sakai. The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed that Makama’s lifeless body was discovered on Sunday at the outskirts of Sabon Garin Rimau within the same local government area.
According to a police source, armed members of Yan Sakai allegedly stormed Dutsan Gaya in the early hours of the day and abducted the traditional ruler. Hours later, his body was found with suspected gunshot wounds. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kasuwan Magani led a team of officers and vigilantes to the scene, where the deceased was taken to a village hospital and pronounced dead by a doctor on duty.
Authorities have convened an emergency meeting with community and youth leaders from Dutsan Gaya and neighboring villages to appeal for calm. A senior security officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated, “The situation is being closely monitored, and efforts are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing and to apprehend those responsible.”
The corpse has been deposited at Gomna Anwan General Hospital, Kakuri, pending a post-mortem examination. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.