Armed bandits have unleashed a series of coordinated attacks across parts of Kaduna State, targeting multiple communities in what residents describe as one of the most daring operations in recent weeks.
The assaults, which took place in Birnin Gwari, Kachia, and Chikun local government areas, left several residents abducted, others injured, and entire villages gripped with fear.
Eyewitnesses from Ingade village in Birnin Gwari confirmed that heavily armed men stormed the community late at night, firing sporadically to scare residents before seizing six locals and injuring two others.
“They came in large numbers, shouting and shooting into the air. Anyone who tried to run was threatened with death,” one resident told Afripost in a recorded message.
The attackers reportedly whisked their captives to an unknown location, while local vigilantes and residents could do little to stop them.
Security agencies, including the police and military formations in the area, were later notified of the incident.
In a separate assault on Gidan Busa village in Kachia Local Government Area, another armed group invaded the community, abducting three people after prolonged gunfire.
According to a source in nearby Katari town, security operatives arrived long after the bandits had disappeared into the forest.
“By the time the soldiers came, the attackers were already gone with their victims. The whole village is living in fear,” the source said.
Residents have expressed growing frustration over the worsening insecurity, accusing authorities of failing to protect rural communities despite the government’s much-publicized peace initiatives and security operations.
“The bandits seem more confident now than ever. Every time they strike, they do it with more boldness,” another local lamented.
The latest violence follows an earlier raid on Tuesday in Kujama, the headquarters of Chikun Local Government Area, where at least 12 people were confirmed abducted.
Among those taken were a medical doctor, a hospital security guard, several patients, and local residents.
The attack reportedly targeted Nasara Nursing and Maternity Home, where gunmen broke into wards and private homes before escaping with hostages.
A trader in Kujama Market told Afripost that the actual number of kidnapped persons could be higher.
“We’ve counted 12 missing, but some families are still searching for loved ones. A few more might have been taken,” he said.
Tragically, a body believed to belong to one of the abducted victims was later found along the escape route used by the attackers.
Meanwhile, a correctional officer who resisted abduction during the incident was shot in both legs and left critically injured.
As of the time of this report, families of the victims were seen gathered outside local hospitals, anxiously waiting for possible calls from the abductors or updates from security agencies.
Security analysts have described the latest incidents as evidence of the deepening crisis in Kaduna, warning that bandit networks are adapting faster than government forces.
“These attacks show an evolving pattern of coordination and intelligence among criminal groups,” said a security expert based in Kaduna. “Without a decisive response, rural Kaduna will continue to suffer repeated assaults.”