Bandits Kidnap Fulani Leader, Chief Imam, Woman in Kaduna Community

Bandits have abducted a Fulani community leader, identified as Alhaji Shehu Bello, the Chief Imam of Janjala Central Mosque, Malam Bello Abdullahi, and a woman during a fresh attack in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to reports, several settlements including Iddo, Gidan-Makeri, Kohoto, and Janjala have faced repeated raids in recent days, with residents kidnapped and cattle rustled.

A village leader confirmed that the latest attack occurred around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, when heavily armed gunmen stormed the area carrying AK-47 rifles.

The attackers reportedly forced their way into the Chief Imam’s residence before moving on to the Fulani leader’s home and taking the victims away.

The assault has triggered panic across the communities. Many residents have abandoned their homes, fleeing to Kagarko town and Sabon-Wuse to stay with relatives.

“Even as I am talking to you right now, several people have fled their houses,” the village head said, describing the atmosphere as chaotic and frightening.

The violence follows an earlier threat by the bandits, who allegedly issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding N6 millionfor the release of a vigilante member’s wife and four children.

Frustration is growing among locals, who say repeated distress calls to security agencies have not produced a meaningful response.

“Our people are under siege. We have tried to reach out to security operatives… but nothing has been done,” the community leader lamented.

A source within the Kagarko Emirate Council also confirmed the attack, revealing that some displaced residents are now taking refuge at the palace. The council has reportedly notified the local government and is expecting urgent deployment of security personnel to restore calm.

A police source acknowledged the incident but directed further inquiries to the state command headquarters without providing additional details.

For now, what remains is a familiar but unsettling pattern: threats, raids, displacement, and communities waiting, hoping help arrives before the next attack.