In a harrowing incident that unfolded on Tuesday night, Dan-Honu II community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State fell victim to a brazen attack by a group of 10 armed bandits. The assailants, clad in black attire with one masked individual, stormed the community at approximately 8:50 p.m., wielding AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons.
The heart-wrenching ordeal saw the abduction of eight individuals, including a newlywed couple who had celebrated their union just last Saturday. Among the kidnapped were the respected Imam of the community mosque, his wife, and three children, one of whom is a 10-month-old baby.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrific moments as the bandits first targeted the Imam and his family, who were outside the community Juma’at Mosque. The assailants then moved to a four-flat compound, forcibly taking the newlywed couple from their home. Fortunately, one resident, Alhaji Mohammed, narrowly escaped abduction, as the criminals broke into his home but failed to capture him.
In a twist of fate, the Imam, Malam Suleiman, and his neighbor, Malam Musa, managed to escape while being led into the bush. The newlywed wife, who had recently undergone surgery, was abandoned in the bush when she struggled to keep pace with the kidnappers during their trek.
RELATED POST: Four Students Abducted from Nasarawa State University, Keffi
The bandits, armed with AK-47 rifles, machetes, axes, and sticks, faced challenges in their sinister mission. The cries of the Imam’s baby and the pace of the trek led to the release of the Imam’s wife and the wife of the newlywed when her baby’s cries almost exposed the criminals to vigilant community members.
As of the latest report, there has been no contact established between the abductors and the victims’ families. The Kaduna State Police Command, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Mansur Hassan, is diligently working to ascertain the full details of the incident.
Over the past few months, Kaduna communities have experienced a relentless wave of attacks orchestrated by armed bandits. On September 27, 2023, The Cable reported a particularly harrowing incident in the Takanai community, Zango Kafah Local Government Area of Kaduna, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives.
It is worth noting that within the same Local Government Area (LGA), reported on September 8, 2023, a horrifying incident where bandits reportedly burned a seminarian to death and claimed the lives of two others in separate attacks in Kamantan and Sabon Kaura in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna state. The tragic events underscore the alarming and ongoing security challenges faced by the residents in the region.
According to Channels Television on October 7, 2023, the police spokesman revealed that the bandits launched a brazen attack on the community, descending upon it in large numbers and firing indiscriminately. The intent behind such a ruthless assault was to instill fear among the residents.
In a report by Punch Newspapers on October 12, 2023, it was disclosed that bandits had tragically taken the life of a ransom bearer in a Kaduna village. The bearer had volunteered to deliver an undisclosed sum of money in an attempt to secure the release of individuals, highlighting the perilous risks individuals undertake in the face of such criminal acts.
According to the Vanguard report dated November 1, 2023, bandits executed a tragic incident in Southern Kaduna. In Ungwan Baka, Agunu Ward, Kachia Local Government Area, the assailants killed a farmer, wounded two individuals, and mercilessly abducted 25 others. This distressing event underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the escalating security challenges in the region.
Here at VOTP News, our deep concern lies with the safety of the people of Kaduna, where the menace of armed bandits persists almost daily. In this urgent plea, we call upon the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize the security and welfare of the Nigerian people as a fundamental responsibility of the government. Meanwhile, we remain committed to providing verified crime reports and shedding light on all instances of human rights violations. Together, let us work towards a safer and more secure environment for all.
My heart goes out to the family of the newly weds and all others abducted in kaduna state.
Just hope that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes in the state are apprehended and brought to justice.