Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted the Chief Imam of the Janjala Central Mosque, Malam Bello Abdullahi, along with a Fulani community leader, Alhaji Shehu Bello, and a woman during coordinated attacks on several villages in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The incident has triggered fear, mass displacement and growing concern among residents about their safety and the perceived lack of effective security response.
According to community accounts, the assailants struck at about 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, riding into villages including Iddo, Gidan‑Makeri, Kohoto and Janjala in large numbers and heavily armed with AK‑47 rifles. Witnesses said the attackers first stormed the residence of the Chief Imam, abducting him before proceeding to the home of the Fulani leader, then seizing a woman in the area. The invasion prompted widespread panic as residents fled on foot into nearby settlements such as Kagarko town and Sabon‑Wuse to seek safety.
Reports indicate that the attacks follow a seven‑day ultimatum issued by the bandits, demanding a ₦6 million ransom for the release of a woman and her four children who had been kidnapped in earlier raids. Local leaders said the deadline elapsed without any meaningful intervention by security forces, after which the gunmen returned with increased violence.
Residents described how the fear induced by the abductions has left communities virtually deserted, with families abandoning homes and farmlands to escape what they described as “besiegement” by the armed group. A community leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that multiple distress calls to security agencies — including the police and military — over the past week have gone unanswered, contributing to a deepening sense of vulnerability among villagers.
The abductions and violence mark the latest in a series of banditry incidents in parts of Kaduna State, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted rural settlements for kidnappings, cattle rustling and extortion. Previous attacks in the region have involved mass abductions of worshippers and villagers, reflecting persistent insecurity that has strained local capacity to protect civilians and maintain order.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Kaduna State Police Command nor the Kaduna State Government has issued an official statement confirming the latest abductions or detailing steps being taken to rescue the victims and restore security. The situation remains fluid, with families and community leaders calling for urgent deployment of security forces to prevent further harm and secure the release of those abducted.
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