Fresh violence erupted in parts of Kaduna State on Saturday as suspected bandits carried out coordinated attacks that left three residents dead and several others abducted, including a Catholic priest and a prominent Islamic cleric.
The deadly incident occurred in the early hours of the morning in Karku community, located in Kauru Local Government Area, where armed assailants stormed the area, shooting sporadically and abducting multiple residents.
Among those taken was Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, according to confirmation by the Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan. Reports indicate that the priest was kidnapped alongside ten other villagers during the raid.
Imam, Community Leader Also Abducted
In a related development, the Chief Imam of Janjala Central Mosque, Bello Abdullahi, was abducted during a separate attack in Kagarko Local Government Area. A Fulani community leader, Shehu Bello, was also taken by the gunmen.
READ MORE: 8 Muslim Countries Condemn Israel’s Repeated Ceasefire Breaches in Gaza
Local sources said the attackers invaded several communities, including Iddo, Gidan-Makeri, Kohoto, and Janjala, abducting residents and rustling cattle, forcing many villagers to flee their homes in fear.
Three Residents Confirmed Dead
The assault on Karku community reportedly began around 3:20am, with residents describing the attack as well-coordinated and carried out by heavily armed men believed to be terrorists.
Three people were confirmed killed during the invasion. They were identified as Jacob Dan’azumi, Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari.
According to church authorities, the attackers broke into the priest’s residence and nearby homes, leaving widespread panic and devastation in the community.
Church Calls for Prayers
The Chancellor of the Kafanchan Diocese, Rev. Jacob Shanet, announced the abduction in a statement, expressing deep sorrow over the incident and urging prayers for the victims.
He called on Christians and people of goodwill to pray for the safe release of the abducted individuals and for the repose of the souls of those killed in the attack.
Christian Leaders React
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joseph Hayab, described the attack as another indication of the deteriorating security situation in northern Nigeria.
He lamented the continued targeting of religious leaders and innocent civilians, saying such incidents have become increasingly alarming despite ongoing security efforts.
Security Forces Engage Attackers
Security sources within the Kaduna State Police Command disclosed that a joint team of police officers and military personnel had engaged the attackers in gun battles around the Kauru axis.
According to the source, security operatives believe the assailants may still be hiding within the surrounding areas, and efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend them.
Residents Flee Communities
Eyewitnesses said fear spread rapidly across the affected communities, forcing many residents to flee to Kagarko town and Sabon-Wuse, while others reportedly spent the night hiding in nearby bushes to escape the violence.
A community leader, who requested anonymity, said the attackers were armed with AK-47 rifles and struck swiftly, beginning with the home of the chief imam before moving to other targets.
Ransom Threats Linger
The latest abductions reportedly followed a previous threat by bandits who had issued a seven-day ultimatum, demanding a ₦6 million ransom for a woman and her four children kidnapped earlier. Community leaders said the deadline expired without any visible security intervention.
Police Silent
Attempts to obtain official comments from the Kaduna State Police Command proved unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, could not be reached. Calls and messages sent to his phone had not been returned as of the time of filing this report.
