Bandits Abduct 10 in Kaduna: Families Demand Urgent Rescue
KADUNA STATE, Nigeria – In a harrowing late-night raid, armed bandits abducted seven members of a single family and three neighbors in Unguwar Sabon-Titi, a community near Katari-Hayin Dam in Kaduna State’s Kachia Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 21, 2023, has left the community in shock and sparked calls for urgent action to ensure the safe return of the victims.
The attack unfolded around 9:32 pm when a large group of heavily armed bandits stormed the area. According to local resident Markus Yakubu, the assailants surrounded a family compound and forcibly took away seven individuals—Jummai Amos, Barnabas Amos, Iko Amos, Baby Amos, Eunice Amos, Eshiwan Amos, and Godwin Amos. The attackers then moved to a neighboring house and abducted three more residents: Bagudu Damisa, Evelyn Damisa, and Alfred Iriyo.
Yakubu, who spoke to reporters by phone on Friday morning, described the attack as meticulously executed. “The bandits came in large numbers, surrounded the house, and quietly took the family members. They didn’t fire a single shot initially, likely because the compound is close to the Katari Divisional Police Officer’s residence,” he explained.
However, as the bandits moved their victims away from the town, they began shooting sporadically, heightening the terror experienced by residents.
Community leaders expressed frustration over the inability to contact security operatives during the crisis. A local leader, who requested anonymity, revealed that he attempted to alert authorities immediately after receiving a distress call but failed to reach them. “Their phone lines weren’t connecting. It was a helpless situation,” he said.
By Friday morning, neighbors gathered at the affected homes to offer condolences and support to the families of the abducted. The community remains on edge, with many questioning the effectiveness of security measures in the region.
A security source in the area confirmed the abduction and assured that efforts are underway to locate the victims. “Security operatives are combing nearby forests to trace the bandits and rescue the victims,” the source stated. However, the Kaduna State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement, as spokesperson DSP Hassan Mansur did not respond to calls or messages from reporters.
This incident adds to a growing list of kidnappings in Kaduna State, raising concerns about the safety of residents in rural areas. Bandit attacks have become increasingly common in northern Nigeria, with criminal groups targeting vulnerable communities for ransom.
As the search for the abducted continues, families of the victims are pleading for swift action to ensure their loved ones’ safe return. The community remains hopeful but anxious, urging authorities to bolster security measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Reported by Nexio News
