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Tension in Kaduna as Gunmen Kidnap Several Residents in Coordinated Raids Across Kajuru and Kauru
Residents of Kajuru and Kauru Local Government Areas of Kaduna State have been thrown into panic following a series of coordinated attacks and mass abductions carried out by gunmen on Thursday evening.
The assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, reportedly launched their first attacks in Agwallan Centre, Janwuriya, and Afogo villages in Kajuru LGA, where several farmers returning home were forcefully taken away. Eyewitnesses disclosed that the gunmen stormed the communities and operated for hours without resistance.
Later the same night, another group of armed men invaded Kallah and Aokpeshura villages, firing indiscriminately and abducting more residents, including women and children. Among those kidnapped in Kallah were 29-year-old Simon Audi, 23-year-old Beuty Audu, and a six-month-old baby identified as Holliness Simon.
While a 40-year-old resident, Enoch Simon, was rescued, two others 32-year-old Anthony Saidu and 20-year-old Jenecy Obasanjo sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Kujama.
Local sources alleged that the attacks may have been masterminded by a repentant bandit known as Babban Gayya, who was said to be seeking revenge after some of his men were reportedly killed in a recent military operation.
In a separate incident, gunmen also raided Kuyan Bana village in Kauru LGA, moving from house to house and abducting multiple residents in another coordinated assault.
Security forces have since been deployed to affected communities, with troops reportedly combing nearby forests and launching search-and-rescue efforts to locate the kidnapped victims.