Armed Gunmen Kidnap Wealthy Cattle Owner in Saboba District

A 42-year-old cattle owner, Mallam Daouda, was abducted late Tuesday night by armed assailants in Tindugu, near Wapuli, in the Saboba District.

According to eyewitnesses, four gunmen on two motorbikes arrived at the victim’s home around 11:40 p.m., fired approximately 15 rounds of ammunition, and forcibly took Daouda, who was sleeping under a shed.

Assembly Member for the area, Andrews Mawie Kusan, described the victim as a respected and moderately wealthy member of the community. “The man is kindhearted, so everyone is crying and worried,” he said.

Mr. Kusan noted that this marks the second such attack in the area within three months. In a similar September incident, a victim managed to escape captivity. The recurring attacks have reportedly sparked widespread fear among residents, prompting calls for increased security measures.

Police in Wapuli have confirmed the abduction and indicated that a formal report has been forwarded to the District Command in Saboba.

This incident is part of a growing pattern of kidnappings in the Yendi–Wapuli–Gushegu enclave this year. JoyNews monitoring reveals that in September, a 50-year-old cattle owner was kidnapped in Ikpeani, with a GH¢30,000 ransom demanded; the victim later escaped. In October, another wealthy cattle owner near Wapuli was targeted, with kidnappers seeking GH¢300,000. In November, a middle-aged man named Umar was killed after resisting an attempted abduction at his home in Jagbel, near Ugando in the Chereponi District.

Authorities have been urged to intensify efforts to address the surge in violent criminal activities in the region.