Gunmen attack Kaduna community, abduct 14 residents

At least 14 people have been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen in Dogon Noma community, Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the community early Saturday morning before abducting the locals.

Condemning the abduction on Sunday, Usman Stingo, lawmaker representing Kajuru at the Kaduna house of assembly, said the community has been under constant attacks by bandits.

“The bandits invaded the community on Saturday at about 5:45am and kidnapped 14 people while one person was seriously injured,” the legislator said.

“The attacks on our community have been persistent since 2019 and there seemed to be no end.”

The lawmaker said the government has not shown the political will to end gunmen attacks and abductions of villagers.

“If the government has the political will to end it, soldiers will clear the bandits from their hideouts in the bushes within a few days,” he said. 

“In 2019, the bandits killed 71 people in just one day. In 2022, they abducted 28 people in the community after killing 32 people in one day. We had to pay the ransom with difficulties.”

The north-west state has experienced frequent attacks and kidnappings by gunmen in recent times.

Last Monday, bandits abducted about 61 persons in Buda community under Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state.

On March 7, over 200 students and pupils were kidnapped after bandits attacked Government Secondary School Kuriga, Chikun LGA of the state.

In February, six people were killed when bandits invaded Kwasam community, Kauru LGA of Kaduna.

Zakariya Markus, a retired director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was abducted in the attack.