Suspected terrorists reportedly abducted 61 persons after attacking the Buda hamlet in Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The state and police authorities have yet to acknowledge the incident, but a resident of the region told PUNCH Online on Tuesday that the bandits entered the village on Monday night at around 11:45 p.m. and kidnapped 61 individuals.
According to resident Dauda Kajuru, the kidnappers invaded the community in huge numbers and began firing randomly.
“What happened yesterday was terrifying. The bandits came intending to abduct scores of people that’ll outnumber that of school pupils in Kuriga Village of Chikun Local Government Area, but the swift response of soldiers who werw not more than 2k. away from Kajuru curtailed the number.
“My siblings were part of those abducted yesterday and based on the information available as of this morning, the bandits with their victims are yet to get to their destination, ” Manyu said.
He lamented that since the removal of an Army Commander popular known as (Tega), banditry activities have resumed in full force around the Kajuru Local Government Villages.
” I’ll tell you in confidence that when Commander Tega was around, their activities stopped, and one could go for occasions without any fear of being kidnapped because he knows their terrain and the mode of their operations.
“It is unfortunate Commander Tega was removed from Kajuru Local Government when we’re experiencing the return of peace in our villages,” he said.
Another resident, Lawal Abdullahi, who escaped the incident but his wife was among the victims, also confirmed 61 people were abducted.
He said men, women, and children, including a nursing mother of two weeks, were among the victims.
“The situation devasts me because we have not heard from them since the incident happened on Monday.
“We’re appealing to the government to take action and ensure our loved ones return immediately,” he said.