Bandits Kill Nine, Abduct Several in Fresh Kaduna Attack

Terror returned to Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday evening, as armed bandits launched a coordinated and deadly assault on Layin Danauta village in Kuyello Ward, killing at least nine people and abducting several others.

Multiple sources from the area confirmed the attack, describing it as a carefully planned operation by the gunmen who stormed the village around dusk, firing sporadically and blocking all exit points.

A resident of Birnin Gwari town, which serves as the local government headquarters, told newsmen that the attack began shortly before nightfall and left the community in panic.

“The bandits surrounded Layin Danauta village in Kuyello Ward on Thursday evening. They blocked all entry and exit routes while firing sporadically,” one local source said.

Another resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, disclosed that by 7 p.m., nine corpses had been recovered while 13 injured persons were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention.

The full extent of the attack remained unclear as of Thursday night. Locals said efforts to locate more victims had to be suspended due to darkness and fears that the attackers might still be hiding in nearby areas.

“We don’t know the total number of casualties yet. More people may still be missing. The search will continue on Friday morning,” a resident said.

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Several villagers are believed to have been abducted, although the exact number could not be independently verified.

The bodies of the nine victims are expected to be buried today (Friday), either before or shortly after the Jumu’ah (Friday congregational) prayers, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Birnin Gwari LGA has remained a hotspot in Kaduna’s prolonged battle with armed bandits, with residents frequently caught in the crossfire of deadly attacks, kidnappings, and rural displacement.

Local authorities are yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.