Again, Bandits Attack Kaduna Community, Abduct Six Residents

Barely a week after 177 church worshippers were abducted in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, bandits have again struck in the area, kidnapping six residents of Unguwar Barkonu in Maraban Kajuru.

The latest attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Kufana Ward, even as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was holding special prayers for the safe return of the previously abducted worshippers.

According to The PUNCH, a resident of the community, Steven Kefas, said the armed men invaded the area at about 1 am, breaking into several houses before abducting six people.

“Bandits stormed our community at about 1am, broke into houses and forcefully took six people away to an unknown destination,” Kefas said.

He expressed frustration over the location of the attack, noting that it occurred in a populated area.

“This incident didn’t occur in a remote village with no access to a road. It happened right at the heart of Kajuru, in Kufana, where people expect some level of security presence,” he said.

Kefas lamented the absence of a rapid response from security agencies.

“As of the time of filing this report, there was no response from the police or other security agencies. The community was left on its own,” he added.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of CAN in Kajuru Local Government Area, Rev. Enoch Kaura, said the attack took place around 11 pm on Saturday.

“They surrounded the entire area and created fear among residents,” Kaura said.

He explained that the attackers fled after residents raised the alarm, but succeeded in abducting six people.

“When neighbours raised the alarm and people started coming out of their houses, the attackers fled, making away with six residents,” he added.

Kaura described the renewed attack as disturbing, especially coming shortly after the mass abduction of worshippers.

“It is painful that while families are still crying and praying for the return of the 177 abducted worshippers, bandits have struck again,” he said.

“This has created fear and anxiety in the entire Kajuru axis.”

Efforts to obtain official reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command proved unsuccessful.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, could not be reached as his phone line was not reachable, while a text message sent to him had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, a special prayer session for the safe return of the 177 abducted worshippers was held on Sunday at Tawaliu Baptist Church in Maraban Kajuru.

The prayer meeting attracted Christian leaders from across Kaduna State and parts of northern Nigeria.

Families of the abducted worshippers, some of whom were visibly emotional, attended the service as they continued to await news of their loved ones.

Church leaders used the occasion to urge the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of all abducted persons and restore peace to the area.