Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
Armed bandits have abducted a young businessman, Suleiman Danjuma, and his wife following a late-night raid on their residence in Tudun Daluta area of Kankara town, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, intensifying security concerns in Nigeria’s North-West region.
Residents said the attackers stormed the neighborhood under cover of darkness, firing sporadically to create panic before forcibly taking the couple away. The assault reportedly occurred on the third consecutive day of abductions in Kankara LGA, heightening anxiety among community members who had hoped that a recently reported peace agreement between local stakeholders and armed groups would bring respite.
Witnesses described confusion and fear as gunshots rang out across Tudun Daluta. Neighbors were said to have remained indoors during the operation, wary of confronting heavily armed assailants. By the time the attackers retreated into surrounding bush paths, Suleiman Danjuma and his wife had been taken to an undisclosed location.
Local leaders confirmed the incident and said families across the area are increasingly alarmed by the resurgence of kidnappings. The abduction comes during the holy month of Ramadan, a period traditionally associated with reflection, restraint, and communal harmony, a fact that has deepened the emotional impact on residents.
Kankara, located in southern Katsina State, has been a recurring flashpoint in Nigeria’s banditry crisis. The town gained international attention in December 2020 when hundreds of students were kidnapped from the Government Science Secondary School in the area. Although many victims in past incidents have eventually been released following negotiations, ransom payments, or security operations, the psychological and economic toll on communities has remained severe.
Over recent years, armed groups operating in forested belts spanning Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, and parts of Niger State have carried out mass kidnappings, cattle rustling, and targeted attacks on rural settlements. Authorities have variously described these groups as bandits, criminal gangs, or insurgent-linked factions, depending on their affiliations and operational methods.
Community sources indicated that a dialogue initiative had recently been pursued between local representatives and certain armed groups with the aim of reducing hostilities. Such arrangements, often described as peace accords, have in some areas produced temporary lulls in violence. However, security analysts note that these agreements are fragile and frequently undermined by splinter factions or disputes over compliance.
The latest abduction in Tudun Daluta has therefore cast doubt on the durability of any existing truce in Kankara LGA. Residents argue that the continuation of attacks suggests either a breakdown in communication or the involvement of factions not bound by the earlier understanding.
Security operatives in Katsina State have yet to issue a comprehensive official statement detailing the circumstances of the incident or confirming whether a rescue operation is underway. However, local vigilante groups are said to be assisting formal security agencies with intelligence gathering and patrols aimed at tracking the abductors’ movements.
The broader security environment in Katsina remains fragile. Rural communities, particularly those bordering forest reserves, have repeatedly called for enhanced surveillance, rapid-response deployments, and improved intelligence coordination. While federal and state authorities have announced multiple military operations targeting bandit enclaves, the terrain and mobility of armed groups continue to pose operational challenges.
Economic consequences are also evident. Many small business owners in affected towns have reduced operating hours or temporarily relocated, fearing further raids. Agricultural activities, central to livelihoods in the region, are periodically disrupted by insecurity, leading to reduced productivity and heightened food supply concerns.
Religious and traditional leaders in Kankara have appealed for calm while urging authorities to intensify protection measures. They emphasize that the sanctity of Ramadan underscores the need for restraint and peaceful coexistence, even amid ongoing security tensions.
For the family of Suleiman Danjuma, the immediate priority remains the safe return of the abducted couple. Community members have expressed solidarity and are reportedly mobilizing support networks to assist affected relatives during the uncertainty.
As investigations continue, the repeated pattern of abductions in Kankara LGA underscores the persistent vulnerability of communities in Nigeria’s North-West. The coming days will be critical in determining whether security forces can secure the victims’ release and prevent further incidents, or whether the cycle of violence will continue despite previous efforts at negotiated calm.
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