Suspected bandits have killed two persons and kidnapped 18 others in Ungwan Dantata in the Gefe community of Kallah Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The bandits, according to a resident of the area, invaded the community on Monday morning at exactly 10am, shooting sporadically.
The two persons killed were identified as Ezra Badama and Nagode Ibro, while those abducted include Nehemiah Sukuni, Rebecca Nehemiah, Sadam Gane, Alice Sadam, Jashu’a Sukuni, Rhoda Isaac, Isaac Dako, Patience Godwin, A’ishatu Ezra, Damaris Nathan, Justina Afis, Gabriela Nathan, Daniela Nehemiah, Jackson Sadam, Amame Ezra, Benedict Monday, Enoch Yohanna and Igwe Saleh.
According to the source, since November last year, terrorists have been constantly disturbing the people of Gefe community, who he said have spent a fortune on ransom payments.
“This community is in dire need of government support and their major activity is farming. We’re already in the rainy season now and most of them cannot access their farmlands for fear of being kidnapped.
“They’ve sold all that they harvested and some even sold their lands just to raise money for the ransom of their loved ones.
“We need government intervention like; food and fertilizer to help cushion the effect of hunger in our community.
“We’re appealing to the government to assist deploy security operatives in the area to help restore the confidence of the community. Some victims had earlier told us that they trek with terrorists passing different villages and crossing major roads to their destination.
“Having security forces around the area will help in apprehending these terrorists that have been causing nightmares in our communities. There are vantage positions where security forces can block the moment people are kidnapped or killed by terrorists,” the source said.
The source added that the families of the abducted residents have not been contacted for ransom, while the two dead victims were buried on Tuesday, 7th May 2024, according to Christian rites.
The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, did not respond to calls and text messages sent to him.
A member of the Kajuru-Station Youths, Harisu Dari, confirmed the incident, saying the kidnappers also broke into some shops and stole food items and other valuables.