Kaduna: Bandits Kill 2, Kidnap 26 in Coordinated Attacks on Giwa Communities

Bandits have attacked several communities in the Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing two people, injuring one, and abducting 26 others, according to the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KadVS).

Mr Yunusa Shehu, Public Relations Officer of KadVS, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, naming Tunburku, Tudun Amada and Kallon Kura as the affected communities within the local government area. He said the assailants also made away with cattle belonging to residents in separate incidents.

According to Shehu, the attackers struck Tunburku in Kidandan District and Tudun Amada in Kadage District almost simultaneously in the early hours of Monday. Two residents, identified as Alhaji Surajo and Alhaji Ado, were killed in the Tunburku attack, while 26 people were abducted during the assault on Tudun Amada. He added that another resident, Ayyuba Usman, sustained injuries in the attacks, which took place at around 12:30 a.m. on Monday.

In a separate incident, bandits invaded Kura in Danmahawayi District at approximately 9 p.m. on Saturday, making off with cattle belonging to residents. Shehu said the number of stolen cattle was initially estimated at between 15 and 17, though efforts remain ongoing to determine the exact figure. He added that the attackers also struck Kallon Kura in the same district that night, rustling additional cattle before security personnel could mobilise to the area.

Acting on intelligence regarding the bandits' movement and the stolen livestock, KadVS personnel mobilised to track the attackers and recover the animals. The operatives reportedly engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat and abandon the cattle before fleeing the scene.

 The operatives subsequently recovered 19 cattle from the bandits at around midnight on Saturday, September 5. The recovery operation was carried out under the supervision of the KadVS Sector Coordinator for Giwa Local Government Area, who personally led the personnel during the exercise.

When contacted for comment, DSP Mansur Hassan, Police Public Relations Officer for the Kaduna State Command, said he would provide further clarification on the attacks after obtaining additional details. However, as at the time of filing this report, Hassan had not returned with the promised clarification.