Bandits launch fresh attack in Kaduna community, abduct 87

In a harrowing turn of events, terrorists have abducted no fewer than

87 women, children, and others in a recent assault on the Kajuru Station community in Kaduna State on Sunday night.

The community, gripped by confusion and fear, witnessed residents taking immediate measures to relocate on Monday, as apprehension of further attacks loomed large.

Kajuru, already reeling from several previous attacks, finds itself yet again in the clutches of terror, with some locals still held captive by assailants.

Providing insights into the nightmarish ordeal, Harisu Dari, an official of the Kaduna Kajuru-Station Youths, recounted the traumatic events. He disclosed that the terrorists launched their assault around 10 p.m. on Sunday, ransacking shops to pilfer food and other provisions.

According to Dari, “Two days ago, 15 women and a man were abducted in the Dogon-Noma community of Kajuru.

“For now, there is no contact yet with the 87 persons abducted on Sunday night.

“As of the time I visited the community this morning, security operatives have not been drafted to help restore the confidence of the villagers.

“The villagers are traumatised by the sad development. The government needs to re-strategise in tackling these terrorists,” Dari said.

Kaduna has become a huge scene of kidnappings of recent.

On Thursday, March 7, the bandits invaded LEA Primary School, Kuriga, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The terrorists shot one of the pupils and escaped into the bush with over 200 others. Among the victims were some secondary school students, and staff members.

Kidnappers of the Kaduna schoolchildren later contacted a spokesman for the families of the hostages. The Kaduna terrorists demanded N1 billion for the students’ release.

Meanwhile, last Friday, Kaduna Police Command claimed it arrested a 35-year-old man (name withheld), over alleged kidnapping in the state.

The Police also said they recovered arms and ammunition in a raid conducted at the suspects’ residence.

What they recovered, Police said, were a fabricated cartridge revolver rifle, a fabricated pistol, two Dane guns, six live cartridges, one discharge GPRG ammunition, seven discharge cartridges, and a blood-stained cutlass.

Earlier, last Thursday, while reacting to the kidnappings, controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, faulted the Federal Government on the continued use of force to secure the release of victims.

He especially mentioned the case of the over 200 pupils and teachers recently abducted from LEA Primary School.

Also, Gumi said the government ought to go closer to the bandits, study them, and provide them with better living conditions.

Gumi’s words: “You need a programme just like the Niger Delta (amnesty programme)… which will bring them out of their forests.

“Educate them, give them healthcare, give them a peaceful life. This is how you entice people to abandon violence and militancy.

“But when you continue dropping bombs, they will find no sympathy and empathy for our children. This is it. An eye for an eye.

“This is what is happening. So, we have to change our tactics, we have to change our styles.”