The family of 31-year-old filmmaker and makeup artist, Khalid Wahid, has called for justice following his alleged murder by abductors who reportedly attacked his home in Dong community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attackers were said to have stormed his residence on the night of July 18, abducting him despite the house being located just metres away from the Dong Police Station. His body was later discovered in a nearby bush after a search by security operatives.
Residents said the attack occurred at about 11 p.m., with gunmen allegedly engaging security personnel in a gun duel while others forced their way into Wahid’s residence.
According to friends of the deceased, the attackers cut through the property’s electric barbed-wire fence, broke the reinforced security door and dragged him out of the house, where he had been preparing to sleep after watching a football match.
One of his close associates, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Wahid appeared to have resisted the attackers after concealing his mobile phone.
“They beat him severely. He sustained injuries on different parts of his body, including his knees, stomach and back. The fatal injury appeared to be a deep wound to the back of his head,” the source said.
Blood stains reportedly trailed from the house into a nearby bush, suggesting he was dragged away after sustaining serious injuries.
The attackers reportedly left behind his car, laptop, money and other valuables, while his mobile phone was later recovered around the house, leading family members and friends to believe the incident may have been a kidnapping attempt that turned deadly.
Another friend said relatives and neighbours rushed to the scene at daybreak after learning that Wahid’s phone had been recovered.
Security personnel reportedly cordoned off the area and followed the blood trail into the bush, where they later found his body a short distance from the house.
His remains were taken to hospital before being buried the same day in accordance with Islamic rites at the Zaria Road Cemetery.
Previous Kidnapping Attempts
Friends disclosed that Wahid had survived previous attacks.
They said he was kidnapped in 2023, an incident that reportedly led to the arrest of some suspects.
According to them, another attempted abduction occurred at his newly completed residence in late 2025, prompting him to reinforce the building’s security with stronger doors and other protective measures.
Family members, friends and residents said the killing has heightened concerns over growing insecurity and recurring kidnappings in the Dong community.
Residents described the area as one frequently targeted by criminal gangs, calling on security agencies to intensify operations and dismantle kidnapping networks operating around Jos North.
One resident lamented that kidnappings had become a recurring occurrence in the community and urged authorities to ensure that Wahid’s death becomes a turning point in tackling the menace.
A close friend also questioned why security intervention did not come despite the proximity of the police station to the victim’s residence.
“He trusted that police station. That was one of the reasons he built his house there. When he needed protection, nobody came,” the source said.
Residents further claimed that bullet marks were later found on the police station, indicating that the attackers had fired towards the facility during the operation.
The victim’s father, Tunde Wahid, was said to be too distraught to speak with journalists.
Following the incident, residents, friends and sympathisers staged a peaceful protest, demanding justice for the slain filmmaker and improved security across the community.
The protesters urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the killing, arrest those responsible and strengthen patrols to curb the rising wave of kidnappings and violent attacks in the area.
The killing comes amid renewed insecurity in Plateau State, where several communities have witnessed repeated attacks and kidnappings in recent weeks.
Although security agencies have announced arrests and the recovery of illegal firearms during ongoing operations, residents say many communities around Jos continue to face persistent threats from armed criminals.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, did not respond to calls and text messages seeking comment.
The latest incident has renewed calls for stronger security measures and swift justice for the late Khalid Wahid, whose family insists those responsible must be identified and prosecuted.
