Bandits kill 9, abduct 25 in Kaduna communities within three months

No fewer than nine people have been killed, while 25 others were abducted in separate bandit attacks on communities under the Catholic pastoral area of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Kurmin Dangana District, over the past three months.

The church raised the alarm in a statement issued today by the Archdiocesan Chancellor, Christian Okewu Emmanuel.

According to the statement, the latest attack occurred on Thursday at the Kurmin Bongo outstation, where armed terrorists reportedly invaded the community between 10 pm and 1 am during a heavy rainfall.

The church disclosed that despite efforts by local vigilante groups to repel the attackers, five persons were killed and 10 others abducted during the invasion. It added that two of the abducted victims were later rescued through the efforts of the vigilantes.

The statement further revealed that earlier attacks had occurred at Kasaru-B outstation on March 2, and Sabon Gari outstation on May 1.

“During the Kasaru-B attack, one person was shot dead while another sustained multiple gunshot injuries. Eight people, including the Mai Wa’azi, were abducted by the terrorists. Although some of the victims later regained freedom, two abductees were killed in captivity,” Emmanuel said.

It added that the attack on Sabon Gari occurred barely two weeks after the release of victims earlier abducted from the area, worsening fears among residents.

The church lamented that the repeated attacks had displaced many residents and thrown affected communities into sorrow, fear and uncertainty.

It also decried the worsening insecurity in the area, noting that residents now live in constant fear following repeated incidents of killings, abductions and destruction of livelihoods.

The latest attacks have again highlighted growing concerns over insecurity in parts of, particularly in rural communities where residents continue to suffer violent attacks by armed groups despite repeated calls for stronger security intervention.

At the time of filing this report, the authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incidents.