It has been reported that as many as 61 people were abducted by suspected terrorists during an attack on the Buda community in Kaduna State‘s Kajuru Local Government Area.
While the state and police authorities have not officially confirmed the attack, a resident of the area informed journalists on Tuesday that the bandits raided the village on Monday night around 11:45 pm, abducting 61 people.
Dauda Kajuru, a resident, recounted that the kidnappers descended upon the community in significant numbers, initiating indiscriminate gunfire.
“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 were not more than 2 kilometres away from Kajuru curtailed the number.
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“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.
Lawal Abdullahi, who escaped the incident but tragically had his wife among those taken, further affirmed the abduction of 61 people.
He mentioned that the victims encompassed individuals of all ages and genders, highlighting the tragic inclusion of a nursing mother with two-week-old infants.
“The situation devasts me because we have not heard from them since the incident happened on Monday.
He spoke earnestly, pleading with the government to step in and bring back their loved ones without delay.