Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
KACHIA, Kaduna State, Nigeria — Armed bandits have kidnapped a man and his wife from their farmland in Katambi community, located in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, highlighting the growing insecurity in rural areas of the region. The couple, identified as Bitrus Jayawa and his wife Martha Bitrus, were reportedly seized while tending to crops on their farm. The attackers, arriving on motorcycles in the late afternoon, forced them into the surrounding forest, a tactic commonly used by bandits in remote communities.
Residents of Katambi expressed fear and concern, noting that the area’s poor telecommunications coverage and distance from rapid security response units make it a vulnerable target for kidnappers. Families in the community have warned that ransom demands are likely to follow, consistent with previous patterns of abductions in southern Kaduna.
This incident comes amid a series of violent attacks in the area. Just days prior, suspected bandits targeted two churches in Ariko community, also in Kachia Local Government Area, killing several worshippers and abducting congregants during Easter Sunday services. Security agencies deployed joint police, army, and intelligence operations in response, reporting some rescues, though community members later indicated that many victims remained in captivity.
The ongoing abduction of the Jayawas reflects broader challenges in Kaduna State and northwest Nigeria, where armed groups exploit remote terrains to attack villagers, kidnap civilians for ransom, and steal livestock. These groups often move swiftly through forests and isolated routes, taking advantage of limited security presence and local infrastructure gaps.
Families of the abducted couple have called on the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to act quickly to ensure the safe release of the victims. Local leaders have also urged for strengthened patrols, improved early-warning systems, and enhanced protection for rural farming communities.
Civil society groups continue to advocate for long-term strategies to address insecurity, including community-based communication networks, coordinated emergency response mechanisms, and sustained engagement with vulnerable populations. In many previous kidnappings, victims have been held for days or weeks in forest enclaves, with negotiations involving intermediaries and ransom demands. Partial releases have occurred in some cases, but many captives remain under threat even after payments are made.
The Kaduna State government and security officials have yet to provide an official statement on this specific abduction. As insecurity persists, communities in Katambi and surrounding areas continue to face heightened risks, and families press for transparency, sustained security operations, and support for victims and their relatives.
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