-
Six residents abducted in fresh bandit attack in Kajuru LGA, Kaduna State.
-
Attack comes barely one week after 177 church worshippers were kidnapped.
-
Residents lament absence of security response as fear spreads across Kajuru axis.
Barely a week after the abduction of 177 church worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, suspected bandits have again attacked the area, abducting six residents of Unguwar Barkonu community in Maraban Kajuru.
The latest incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Kufana Ward, coinciding with a special prayer session organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the safe return of the previously abducted worshippers.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
A resident, Steven Kefas, told reporters that the armed men invaded the community at about 1am, forcefully entering several houses before whisking away six people to an unknown destination.
“Bandits stormed our community around 1am, broke into houses and abducted six residents,” Kefas said.
Expressing concern over the location of the attack, he noted that the incident did not occur in a remote settlement.
“This happened right in the heart of Kajuru, in Kudana, where people expect a visible security presence,” he added.
Kefas also lamented the lack of immediate response from security agencies.
“As of the time of filing this report, there was no response from the police or any other security agency. The community was left on its own,” he said.
Confirming the attack, the Chairman of CAN in Kajuru LGA, Rev. Enoch Kaura, said the incident occurred around 11pm on Saturday when bandits surrounded the area, creating panic among residents.
“They cordoned off the community and instilled fear, but when neighbours raised the alarm and people began to come out, the attackers fled with six residents,” Kaura said.
READ ALSO: Bandits Kill Islamic Cleric in Zamfara State
He described the recurring attacks as disturbing, particularly coming shortly after the abduction of church worshippers.
“It is painful that while families are still praying and crying over the 177 abducted worshippers, bandits have struck again. Fear and anxiety have now taken over the entire Kajuru axis,” he added.
Efforts to get a reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, could not be reached, as calls to his line were unsuccessful and text messages sent to him had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, a special prayer session for the safe return of the abducted worshippers was held on Sunday at Tawaliu Baptist Church, Maraban Kajuru.
The prayer meeting attracted Christian leaders from across Kaduna State and parts of northern Nigeria, while families of the abducted worshippers, some visibly emotional, attended as they awaited news of their loved ones.
Church leaders used the occasion to call on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of all abducted persons and restore peace to the troubled area.
