Bandits have killed two people and kidnapped at least 18 others in a midnight attack on Akwando community in Kuturmi, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA), however, said the number of abducted residents was 20.
The attack happened around midnight on Wednesday, November 4, when armed men stormed the community and shot at residents. A resident who asked not to be named said the attackers killed two people and carried off several others.
A security source, who was not authorised to speak publicly, also confirmed the incident to Daily Trust. “Yes, 18 villagers were abducted but two people were killed,” the source said.
In a statement on Thursday, jointly signed by its President, Dr Joseph Ariko, and Publicity Secretary, Manasseh Samuel Akwando, KUDA named the deceased as Irimiya Galadima, 41, and Benjamin Danlami, 32.
The abducted victims were listed as Usman Galadima, La’a’zarus Genesis, Madalin Markus, Happy Stephen, Lovet Ishaya, Afiniki Irimeya, Amina Ahmadu, Miracle Genesis, Hellen Irimeya and Musa Genesis.
Others are Janet Irimeya, Gloria Markus, Zila Stephen, Alis Ahmadu, Haske Ahmadu, Great Isiac, Hanatu Irimeya, Desmon Ishaya, Siam Shagari and Nansy Genesis.
The association raised alarm over repeated attacks on communities in Kuturmi land, saying the latest incident had worsened the security situation. It recalled an Easter Sunday attack on Ariko community, which reportedly left five people dead at the scene, while 17 other victims later died in captivity.
KUDA also pointed to an attack on Awon community, where two people were reportedly killed and 11 others abducted. Five of the abductees regained freedom on November 3, but one of them reportedly died the next day. Another victim escaped, while five others died in captivity.
According to the association, the attacks have forced residents to abandon their homes and farmlands, disrupted economic activities and spread fear across the affected communities. It also alleged that armed groups had barred residents from accessing their ancestral lands, demanding levies before allowing them to farm or harvest crops.
KUDA urged the Federal and Kaduna State governments to deploy well-equipped security personnel to Akwando, Ariko, Awon and other vulnerable communities. It also called for coordinated operations to rescue the abducted victims, permanent security posts, regular patrols and effective early-warning systems.
Meanwhile, some residents of Babban Saura PW in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, abducted by bandits since October 1, 2026, remain in captivity. They include Hafsat Sikiru and her son, Abdulsalam. Her husband, Sikiru Shuaibu, was killed while trying to protect his family during the attack.
Other residents of the community are still held, despite the recent rescue of eight kidnap victims by security agencies in a forest operation. One of those rescued was a pregnant woman abducted from her home in Millennium City on October 6, 2026.
Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, could not be reached for comment on the Akwando attack, while the state Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs had yet to issue a statement at the time of filing this report.
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