Bandits Storm Kaduna Communities, Abduct 22

Bandits have attacked two communities in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting 22 residents in separate incidents. The affected communities—Kugauta in Kusheka and Kitanda in Geshere, both within Kumana Chiefdom—were raided on Friday night at about 10:30 pm.

According to Emmanuel Johnson, a student pastor and local resident, the kidnappers targeted mostly women and children during the attacks. Twelve people were abducted from Kitanda, while ten others were taken from Kugauta.

Johnson expressed frustration over the limited police presence in the area, revealing that only three officers were assigned to protect both villages and surrounding areas. He lamented that despite the frequent kidnappings and other violent incidents, the authorities had not been able to ensure adequate security.

He further revealed that locals have been forced to flee their villages due to constant abductions and killings, with more than N60 million paid as ransom for victims still in captivity. Johnson emphasized the dire situation, noting that the region is also struggling with poor infrastructure, including inadequate roads, schools, and hospitals.

“The police officers manning our communities cannot secure our villages,” Johnson said. “The government must show us that we’re Nigerians and we have equal rights to be protected by Nigerian authorities.”

He urged the government to take more proactive measures, including offensive military operations to eliminate the bandits’ camps. Johnson also called for the establishment of police stations and Army Forward Operating Bases in strategic locations to address the worsening insecurity.

The Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.