Gunmen kill farmer in Kaduna village

Armed bandits killed a farmer on Sunday in Kasuwar Magani, a village in Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

The victim, Baba Bala, known in the community as Sarkin Daji, was ambushed and killed while working on his farm.

Mansur Ibrahim, a local resident, told PREMIUM TIMES that the deceased has been laid to rest according to Islamic customs.

He mentioned that the community is on edge, with many residents expressing concerns about rising insecurity in the area.

"This is just one out of many incidents. Residents are calling on the authorities to focus on securing lives and property and to stop the armed groups operating here," Mr Ibrahim said.

The police spokesperson for Kaduna State, Mannir Hassan, could not be reached for comments. Attempts to call him on Monday morning did not go through.

In Kajuru and other parts of North-west Nigeria, bandits often target farmers in their fields. They impose illegal "harvest taxes" or kidnap labourers.

This situation has forced many farmers to leave their farms, ruining rural livelihoods.

The region has experienced shocking attacks, including the mass abduction of over 100 worshippers from churches during Sunday services. Villages are frequently invaded, with entire families taken into the forests.

While the military’s joint task forces sometimes carry out operations to clear out bandit camps, the rough terrain makes it hard to enforce security in the area.