Terrorists suspected to be bandits have kidnapped no fewer than 61 villagers in a fresh attack in Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria.
The attack was reportedly carried out on Monday night at the Buda community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to a resident, Dauda Kajuru, the kidnappers invaded the community in large numbers and started shooting sporadically.
“What happened yesterday was terrifying. The bandits came intending to abduct scores of people that’ll outnumber that of school pupils in Kuriga Village of Chikun Local Government Area, but the swift response of soldiers who were not more than 2 kilometres away from Kajuru curtailed the number.
“My siblings were part of those abducted yesterday and based on the information available as of this morning, the bandits with their victims are yet to get to their destination.”
He lamented the resurgence of banditry following the removal of the Army Commander, known as “Tega”, from the area.
According to him, during Commander Tega’s tenure, banditry activities significantly decreased, providing a sense of security to the villagers. However, since his departure, banditry has resumed in full force, instilling fear among the residents.
Another resident, Lawal Abdullahi, whose wife was among the 61 people abducted, described the situation as devastating. He appealed to the government to take urgent action to ensure the safe return of the abducted individuals, including a nursing mother of two weeks.
The attack comes days after bandits invaded the Kuriga community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and kidnapped over 200 students, including some teachers at the LEA Primary School Kuriga, while they were concluding the morning assembly.
According to a local who craved anonymity, “The incident happened in the morning at about 8:30 a.m. when the students were about to conclude the morning assembly. The bandits came from different parts of the village and encircled the school premises.”
“The bandits kidnapped over 200 students, both primary pupils and secondary school students who were moved from a location outside the community to the primary school due to the fear of bandits attack.”