Bandits Strike Again: 85 Abducted on Kaduna-Abuja Highway

In a shocking turn of events along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, terror struck as bandits unleashed chaos near Katari in Kaduna State, leaving 85 individuals, including both travelers and residents, abducted. Tragically, the assailants claimed the lives of at least four locals during their ruthless attack.

Between Thursday and Sunday, January 7, 2024, the region witnessed a spate of terror, with the Kaduna State Police Command confirming a bandit assault at Dogon Fili near Katari. However, the abduction of travelers remained unaddressed by the authorities.

Mansir Hassan, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, revealed that security forces engaged the terrorists in a fierce battle, forcing the criminals to scatter in different directions. Regrettably, some travelers ended up caught in the crossfire, sustaining gunshot injuries.

Among the injured were Jibrin Tasiu (27), Jummai Abubakar (20), Zafira Abubakar (11), AbdulKarim Nurudeen (two), Chinedu Jerry Moneke (37), and Ayo James (42), all swiftly rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention.

Despite the police describing the incident as an “unfortunate isolated event,” on-the-ground investigations painted a grimmer picture, with over 30 travelers confirmed abducted. Another 55 individuals fell victim in Badoko, Dudumishini, and Kwakware villages, prompting urgent calls from Yohana Sarki, the District Head of Bishini, for increased security measures.

Residents and village leaders revealed that the attackers, identified as foreigners speaking the Fulani language, first blocked the highway, abducting unsuspecting travelers heading to Abuja. Prior to this, the criminals had raided villages, taking numerous locals hostage and leaving a trail of casualties.

Expressing concern over the government’s efforts, Sarki urged authorities to deploy additional security personnel despite the current military presence, emphasizing the need for a more robust response to curb the escalating attacks.

As the region grapples with the aftermath, Chief Imam Suleiman Mohammed of Katari Central Mosque confirmed the severity of the situation, stating that approximately 30 travelers were forcibly taken by the bandits during the Sunday attack. While the terrorists typically contact individual homes for ransom, uncertainty looms over whether they will pursue the same course of action for the abducted travelers. The incident underscores the pressing need for enhanced security measures to safeguard the lives of those traveling along this vital highway.