Gunmen kill nine farmers and kidnap many in Kaduna

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

The attacks started around 3 p.m. while local farmers were working on their crops.

Local sources say the violence began after two armed men tried to steal a farmer's motorcycle. One of the bandits died during the robbery attempt.

A resident, Ibrahim Garba, explained that the other bandit ran away but returned with a larger group. They then launched a brutal attack on the farmers nearby.

So far, nine bodies have been found in the fields. While three victims are still unidentified, local officials confirmed the names of six victims. They are Habibu Danko, Zaharaddin Musa Gumu, Maibaka Mayana, Umar Maibaka, Yusufu Dankatakaki, and Shaf’iu Kagadama.

The bandits also kidnapped many farmers, and residents fear some of them may have been killed. Mr Garba mentioned that search-and-rescue efforts by local vigilantes were put on hold as night fell, making the terrain even more dangerous.

Ishaq Kasai, a resident and safety consultant, said they would continue the search for more bodies or survivors on Sunday.

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

“The situation is becoming unbearable. Our people cannot even go to their farms without facing the threat of attack,” Mr Garba said.

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

As of now, the police and the state Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs have not commented on this latest incident.