Bandits kill nine farmers, kidnap many in Kaduna attacks

Tragedy hit the Birnin-Gwari Emirate of Kaduna State again on Saturday afternoon. Armed bandits attacked local communities, killing at least nine farmers and taking many villagers.

The attacks started around 3 p.m. while local farmers were busy with their crops.

Local sources say the violence began after a robbery attempt. Two armed bandits tried to steal a farmer's motorcycle.

A resident, Ibrahim Garba, shared that one of the bandits was killed during the attempt. "The other bandit ran away and came back with a heavily armed group that attacked farmers in the area," Mr Garba said.

So far, nine bodies have been found in the fields. Three victims have not been identified yet, but local authorities confirmed six names: Habibu Danko, Zaharaddin Musa Gumu, and Maibaka Mayana. The other three are Umar Maibaka, Yusufu Dankatakaki, and Shaf’iu Kagadama.

The bandits also kidnapped many farmers, and residents worry that some might have been killed.

Mr Garba mentioned that search and rescue efforts led by local vigilantes were stopped when night fell over the tough terrain.

Another resident, Ishaq Kasai, who is a Safety and Security Consultant for Northwest and former Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU), said they would resume the search for more bodies or survivors on Sunday.

Residents noted that this recent attack followed another one on Friday. During that attack, armed bandits killed a man named Ya’u Gayam on the Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna Road and stole his motorcycle.

“The situation is unbearable. Our people cannot even farm without being attacked,” lamented Mr Garba, clearly upset.

The Birnin-Gwari area is one of the hardest-hit regions by banditry in Kaduna State. Bandits exploit the nearby forests to carry out their attacks.

As of the time of this report, the police and the state Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs had not yet commented on the situation.