Bandits Kill Six, Abduct Five in Kaduna Community

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Six people have been killed while five others were abducted in an attack by bandits on Kwasam community, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A resident of the community, who pleaded anonymity, said in a telephone interview on Saturday that the incident happened a few minutes after 10pm on Friday.

He said the bandits came in large numbers and were armed with sophisticated weapons.

According to him, on arrival, the bandits abducted two people, who at gun point, led them to the residence of one Mr. Zakariya Markus, a retired director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), his younger brother and wife.

He said as the bandits were leaving the community with the five abducted persons, the residents rushed out in an attempt to rescue them. 

However, the bandits started shooting sporadically at them and in the process, six people were killed, while two others were injured.

He said: “The village came under attack by Fulani men a few minutes after 10pm on Friday. When they came, they picked two people, who at gun point, led them to the residences of Mr. Zakariya Markus, a  prominent man in the community, who happened to be a retired director of the CBN and kidnapped him.

“After picking him, they moved to their family house and picked his younger brother, Mr. Monday Markus and the wife.

“So five people were kidnapped, but as the kidnappers were leaving the community with them, residents rushed out to pursue the criminals in an attempt to rescue the victims.

“But the bandits were shooting sporadically at them and in the process, six people were killed, while two others were injured.”

According to him, those killed included Danmasani Gwaska, Mrs. Giwa John, Kapishi Barmu, Ganya Ubangida, Shigama Salisu and Gani Magawata.

Mansir Hassan, spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, could not be reached when contacted as his telephone was not connecting.