Armed groups launched coordinated attacks on Birnin Gwari and Kachia local government areas of Kaduna State, abducting several residents and leaving others injured.
In Ingade village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, bandits invaded the community, firing sporadically before abducting six locals and injuring two others, a resident confirmed in a voice note message to SaharaReporters’ New York office.
According to the source, the attackers threatened to kill anyone who resisted, forcing the terrified victims to comply as they were taken to an unknown location.
The incident has reportedly been reported to both military and police authorities in the area.
In a separate attack in Gidan Busa village, Kachia Local Government Area, another group of bandits stormed the community, shooting repeatedly before abducting three residents, a source in nearby Katari town disclosed.
The source added that security operatives arrived after the bandits had already fled with their victims.
Meanwhile, the sources noted that bandits in the state appear to have grown more audacious despite the government’s widely publicised peace deal and the reported clampdown on media coverage of their activities.
On Tuesday evening, the number of people confirmed to have been abducted by bandits in Kujama, the headquarters of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, earlier in the day, had increased to 12.
A body believed to be one of the kidnapped victims was found along the escape route used by the attackers.
A trader in the Kujama Market, who also resides in the town, confirmed the development, saying the actual number of abducted persons could be higher, but 12 have so far been confirmed missing.
According to the trader, in addition to abducting a medical doctor, a security guard, and several patients from a private hospital, the gunmen also broke into nearby homes and took away residents.
He added that five more locals, including three housewives, a young girl, and an adult male, remain unaccounted for.
It was further learned that a security officer attached to the Nigeria Correctional Service, who was shot during the attack, sustained severe injuries after refusing to go with the kidnappers.
The officer was reportedly shot in both legs and left behind in critical condition.
As of the time of filing the report, families of the victims were seen waiting anxiously around the hospital, hoping to receive a call from the abductors.
Earlier on Tuesday, a large group of bandits stormed a hospital in Kaduna State in the early hours of the day, abducting several patients along with the medical doctor on duty.
According to a source in Kaduna, the bandits went straight to the private hospital.
The hospital, named Nasara Nursing and Maternity Home, and other houses were attacked.
At the hospital, the assailants abducted five patients, the medical doctor on duty, and a security guard.
