Another mass kidnap in Kaduna, at least 87 seized: Report

At least 87 people, including women and children, were abducted by gunmen in Kaduna state on Sunday night, according to residents and police. This fresh attack comes just weeks after armed men seized 286 people from a school in the same state.

Reuters reports that the incident occurred in Kajuru village. Kaduna police spokesperson Mansur Hassan confirmed the event but could not provide a specific number of missing individuals. Security forces have been deployed to attempt a rescue.

Local village head Tanko Wada Sarkin told Reuters 87 people were taken. Five villagers who fled through the bush have reportedly returned home. Sarkin said this is the fifth attack on the community by bandits.

“We have so far recorded the return of five people back home who fled through the bush. This attack makes it five times that these bandits are attacking this community,” he told Reuters by phone.

Undetected

Residents said the armed men arrived undetected, dressed in army uniforms and parking their motorcycles away from the village. Aruwa Ya’u, a resident, recounted his capture and release due to poor health. He is currently receiving treatment at a local clinic.

Kidnappings by criminal gangs demanding ransom are a frequent occurrence in Nigeria, particularly in the north. These gunmen often force victims on long marches into remote areas, holding them for months until ransoms are paid.

Haruna Atiku, whose wife and daughters are missing, described the attack. “We were outside chatting around 10:30 p.m. and suddenly bandits appeared, beating and shooting,” he said. The village is located near Buda, where gunmen abducted 61 people earlier this month.

While school kidnappings were initially associated with jihadist groups like Boko Haram, the tactic has been adopted by criminal gangs seeking financial gain. These kidnappings are devastating families and communities, forcing them to sell their belongings to secure loved ones’ release.