Armed terrorists, commonly referred to as bandits, on Friday opened fire on farmers working in their fields in Kaduna State, killing one person in the latest wave of violence targeting rural communities.
The attack occurred on Friday evening in Kayawa village, Giwa Local Government Area, which borders Birnin Gwari—one of the hotspots of banditry in the state.
A local source who confirmed the incident said the farmers were working separately when the armed men suddenly emerged.
“Our people were farming on separate farms. Suddenly, the bandits appeared and opened fire; they took to their heels but Jamilu Ibrahim was unlucky as they gunned him down and finished him with their swords,” the source said.
According to him, the attackers also stole the victim’s motorcycle before retreating into the forest.
“They took his motorcycle away after killing him and retreated into the forest. This is what happened to us in Kayawa village,” he added.
Friday’s killing follows a similar incident earlier in the week. On Monday, bandits murdered a farmer, Mallam Bashar Musa, in Iyatawa village, also in Giwa LGA. Another resident was killed on Sunday along the Kaduna–Kachia Road.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters has obtained details of several unreported kidnapping cases across Chikun Local Government Area, where victims remain in captivity.
In Gbakun village, eight persons were abducted after bandits invaded the community. The victims were identified as Elisha Sunday, Habila Sunday, Jacob Hassan, Emmanuel John, Helen Ibrahim, Hannatu Audu, Miracle Daniel, and an unnamed infant.
Similarly, in Kadaru on October 28, 2024, four people were kidnapped.
On the same day in Kankomi village, five individuals were abducted and eleven motorcycles stolen. The victims were listed as Shagari Saidu, Bamaiyi Amos, Yohanna Dogo, Amazing Monday, and Dogo Kapau.
Further details have also emerged regarding the abduction of Kaduna Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Pascal, who was earlier rumoured to have been killed. Sources close to the family told SaharaReporters that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N5 million, and the family believes he may still be alive.
Fr. Pascal was abducted early Monday when terrorists stormed the community and forcibly took him from his residence. A priest at the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Christian Emmanuel, confirmed the incident in a statement, revealing that the cleric’s brother, Anthony Yero, was killed during the attack, while several other residents were also taken.
The abduction occurred on the same day armed groups invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, kidnapping 25 schoolgirls.
