Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Southern Kaduna, Nigeria — Armed bandits have killed four members of a family in a deadly overnight raid on a community in Southern Kaduna, underscoring the rampant insecurity and growing toll of violence in rural areas of the state. The incident, confirmed by local sources on Saturday, January 3, 2026, occurred in Kachia town, a locality that has in recent years been repeatedly targeted by criminal gangs and militant groups.
According to a breaking report from Sahara Reporters, gunmen stormed a residence in the Kachia area late on Friday night, opening fire on occupants and fatally wounding a man, his wife, their son and another relative. The motive for the attack remains under investigation, but preliminary accounts by neighbours and community leaders indicate that the family was targeted in what appears to be a criminal ambush by bandits whose identities have not yet been fully established.
The killings have sparked outrage and fear among residents in Southern Kaduna, a region already plagued by cycles of banditry, militia violence and communal conflict. Attacks by armed groups in parts of Kaduna State have continued to claim lives and displace communities, contributing to a climate of insecurity that has drawn condemnation from civil society and human rights organisations.
Community members who spoke anonymously to local news sources described the horror of the assault, saying the sound of gunshots shattered the night and drew neighbours to the scene only after the attackers had fled. Medical personnel who arrived later confirmed the deaths of the four victims, whose identities are expected to be released by authorities once family members are formally notified.
The Nigerian Police Force and state security agencies have not yet issued a detailed statement on the incident, but such attacks typically prompt deployments of additional security personnel in affected areas. In past incidents across Southern Kaduna, law enforcement responses have included patrols, joint operations with military forces, and engagements with local vigilante groups in efforts to curb further violence.
Southern Kaduna has witnessed a history of large‑scale attacks that have targeted entire villages and households. Notable past incidents include assaults in which dozens of civilians were killed in mass attacks by unknown gunmen, further fuelling fears that security challenges remain deeply entrenched in the region.
Security analysts say the persistence of such attacks reflects broader challenges in addressing armed banditry and communal violence across parts of northern and central Nigeria. These challenges include difficult terrain, porous rural borders, and the ability of armed groups to move swiftly between remote communities, often outpacing the capacity of state security forces to respond in time.
Meanwhile, residents of Kachia and surrounding communities are calling on government authorities to step up protection measures and ensure that perpetrators of the latest attack are brought to justice. Local leaders have also appealed for humanitarian support for families affected by the violence, as fear and trauma ripple through the community.
The attack comes amid a broader pattern of insecurity in Kaduna State, where banditry and gun violence have been linked to abductions, cattle rustling, and high‑profile raids that have targeted both rural and peri‑urban populations. In some instances, bandits have also engaged in large‑scale kidnappings and attacks on worshippers, intensifying public concern over safety and the effectiveness of security interventions.
As of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the killings in Kachia, and investigations by security agencies are ongoing. The deaths of the four family members have added to the growing toll of insecurity in Southern Kaduna, a region whose residents continue to grapple with volatility that has uprooted lives and strained local resources.
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