Bandits Launch Deadly Midnight Raid in Kaduna Communities
In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the region, armed bandits carried out a coordinated attack in the early hours of Monday, February 9, 2026, targeting the communities of Kutaho and Kugir in Aribi Ward, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The assailants abducted a total of 32 individuals, including a bride-to-be, a Catholic catechist, his heavily pregnant wife, and numerous other residents, plunging the area into a state of fear and chaos.
Details of the Abduction and Community Impact
The attack occurred around 2 a.m., with bandits storming the villages after previously issuing threats and ransom demands to locals. According to Fr. Linus Matthew Bobai, the Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kutaho, the bandits had contacted a parishioner, demanding N10 million and threatening kidnapping if the sum was not paid. They justified their actions by claiming that residents were engaged in profitable irrigation farming and ginger cultivation.
Fr. Bobai, who was away in Kaduna procuring textbooks for St. Joseph School at the time of the attack, confirmed that despite warnings for vigilance, the bandits returned as threatened. In Kutaho, 16 people were abducted, including the catechist, his pregnant wife, and their baby. In Kugir, another 16 individuals were taken, bringing the total to 32 victims. Among those kidnapped was Peace Williams Lami, a bride-to-be who was scheduled to wed on April 6, 2026.
Violence and Narrow Escapes
The violence extended beyond abductions. The gunmen initially rounded up over 20 residents in Kutaho but later released elderly individuals and those with health issues. In Kugir, they invaded a church outstation residence, abducting several occupants, including children, though some managed to escape during the ordeal. The village head, known as the Dakachi, narrowly escaped death after being attacked with a machete, sustaining severe injuries to his head and arm that required urgent medical treatment in Kagarko.
Security Response and Humanitarian Crisis
On the security front, Fr. Bobai noted that soldiers stationed in a neighbouring community had been informed following the initial threats. However, residents were later told that the area lacked regular security patrols, highlighting a gap in protection. The priest has appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies for urgent intervention, emphasizing that the mass displacement has worsened the humanitarian situation. He reported that over 90 percent of residents have fled to neighbouring villages for safety, with only a few remaining behind to keep vigil.
Appeals for Help and Restoration of Normalcy
Families of the abducted victims have joined in appeals for prayers and swift government action to secure the safe release of their loved ones and restore normalcy to the affected communities. The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Kaduna and the urgent need for enhanced measures to protect vulnerable populations from such brazen attacks.
