Wednesday, March, 18 2026 - Bandits have threatened to k!ll 32 villagers abducted from Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State if N30 million ransom and four motorcycles demanded by them for the release of the victims are not paid.
The victims, including a bride-to-be, Peace Williams, were
reportedly kidnapped during a midnight raid on February 9, 2026, when armed
bandits invaded the farming communities, firing gunshots and forcing residents
out of their homes before taking dozens of people to an unknown destination.
Community members who spoke during a visit by journalists to
the area said the abducted victims include women, children and a heavily
pregnant woman.
A resident, Elisha Musa, recounted that the attackers
stormed the community in the early hours of the day, shooting sporadically
before whisking away several residents.
"We were asleep that night when we started hearing
gunshots everywhere. The bandits invaded the community and abducted many people
to an unknown destination,” Musa said.
According to him, the kidnappers later contacted the
community and demanded N30 million and four motorcycles as ransom.
“We have sold our properties and farm produce, trying to
raise the money, but it is still not complete. They are threatening to start
killing our people if we do not meet their demand,” he added.
The youth leader of Kutaho community, Adams Solomon, said
the attack has forced many residents to flee their homes for fear of further
violence.
“After the bandits abducted our people, many residents fled
the community out of fear of further attacks. We want our people rescued so
those who ran away can return and continue living in peace,” Solomon said.
Another resident, David Amana, explained that the community
has struggled to negotiate with the bandits due to widespread poverty and lack
of infrastructure.
He noted that the community lacks telecommunications network
coverage, making it difficult to reach security agencies during attacks.
“There is no network here to call security agencies or
neighbouring communities for help. One of the victims even sold his car along
with farm produce, but the money is still not enough,” Amana said.
“They keep insisting that we have money and have vowed to
start killing the victims one after the other if we fail to meet their demand,”
he added.
The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
Aribi Ward, Kenyi District, Kagarko LGA, Reverend John Maiaper, said the
recurring attacks have crippled farming activities in communities.
Maiaper, who is also the cleric in charge of the Baptist
Church in Kutaho community, disclosed that a few years ago, Kutaho was widely
known for ginger farming, but that is no longer the case.
According to him, residents now mainly cultivate crops such
as maize, groundnut and millet.
“Last year, our people were kidnapped and later released
with support from well-meaning Nigerians. Now the bandits have returned. Our
people depend on farming, especially ginger, but insecurity has made farming
almost impossible,” he said.
Similarly, a community leader, Pastor Bello Danasabe of the
Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), lamented that residents’ economic
situation has worsened due to insecurity.
“Kutaho used to be known for farming, but now insecurity has
reduced our economic strength. The bandits’ demand of N30 million and four
motorcycles is something the community cannot afford,” he said.
An eyewitness, Hafsatu Gabriel, narrated how the attackers
broke into homes and rounded up residents during the raid.
"They were banging on doors and forcing people outside.
The children started crying, and the bandits threatened to kill them. They tied
some of the men and took them away,” she said.
Another resident, Bulus Philibus, said the community has
received little assistance since the incident.
“Only the local government chairman and the deputy speaker
brought some food items to support the people. Apart from that, no other help
has come,” he said.
He added that more than a month after the abduction, the
victims remain in captivity while their families continue to struggle to raise
the demanded ransom.
The residents appealed to the Kaduna State Government and
security agencies to urgently intervene to secure the safe release of the
abducted villagers and restore peace to the affected communities.
They also called for improved security presence and
telecommunications infrastructure to enable residents to report attacks
promptly.
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