BANDITS KILL FATHER, ABDUCT WIFE, CHILDREN AND SIX OTHERS IN KADUNA COMMUNITY

By Taibat Ummi Yakubu

Panic and grief swept through Babban Saura (PW) community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday after suspected bandits attacked the area, killing a resident and kidnapping several others, including women and children.

Residents said the attackers stormed the community in the early hours of the morning, targeting multiple homes and leaving families devastated.

According to community sources, the armed men first raided the residence of an elderly resident, where they abducted two of his children before moving to other parts of the neighbourhood.

The attackers later forced their way into the home of a resident identified as Sikiru after breaching the perimeter fence of his compound.

Witnesses said Sikiru attempted to confront the assailants when they entered his house and reportedly struggled with some of them in a desperate effort to protect his family.

The confrontation turned deadly when the attackers opened fire, killing him on the spot before abducting his wife and two children.

The gunmen then reportedly invaded a nearby house and kidnapped a woman, identified as Maman Mubarak, along with her four children.

However, security operatives and local vigilantes later succeeded in rescuing Maman Mubarak, while her four children remained in the custody of the kidnappers.

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Commander of the local vigilante group, Usman Adamu, confirmed the incident, saying security volunteers responded immediately after receiving reports of the attack.

According to him, soldiers were alerted and joined the vigilantes in pursuing the fleeing gunmen.

“We received information that bandits had attacked Babban Saura PW and quickly informed the soldiers. We tracked them towards the Eastern Bypass area and managed to rescue one of the kidnapped victims, Maman Mubarak,” he said.

Adamu added that despite efforts by security personnel, the attackers escaped with the remaining captives.

The latest attack has left residents shaken, with many expressing fears over the worsening security situation in the area.

One resident, identified simply as Anas, said the late Sikiru had contacted him shortly after the attackers entered the community, moments before the situation turned tragic.

When journalists visited the area, mourners and sympathisers were seen gathered at the deceased’s residence, while community members lamented the recurring attacks and called for stronger security measures.

The incident comes only days after another suspected bandit attack in nearby Kadaure community, where a resident was reportedly killed and several cattle rustled.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official response from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls and text messages sent to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansur Hassan, were not answered.

The attack adds to growing concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of Kaduna State, where communities continue to grapple with kidnappings, killings and other violent attacks despite ongoing security operations.