An armed bandit attack on Sarkin Bajaga village in Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, has left one farmer dead, another injured, and several others kidnapped, sparking fear in the local farming community.
The attack happened on Wednesday while the victims were working on their farmland, according to preliminary reports. The victims were ambushed by the gunmen, who opened fire and abducted a number of farmers, exact figures of whom remain unknown as investigations continue.
Among the victims, Titus Victor, aged 34, was shot during the attack and later died from his injuries. Another farmer, Nathan Andrew, 33, sustained a gunshot wound to his left thigh. Nathan was rushed to Bege Hospital in Maraban Kajuru, where he is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be responding well.
A source close to the community confirmed the details of the attack and the condition of the injured, stating, “The deceased was confirmed dead by a medical doctor, while the injured victim is being treated at the hospital.”
The exact number of farmers abducted by the bandits has not been confirmed, but community leaders fear the kidnappings could be high, given the size of the group reportedly attacked.
The people of Sarkin Bajaga, a farming community known for cultivating crops such as maize, millet, and vegetables, are living in fear following the attack. Farming activities are a major source of livelihood for many residents, and repeated attacks by bandits threaten the community’s stability and survival.
Local residents described how the bandits struck suddenly, catching the farmers off guard while they were tending their fields. This incident is part of a growing pattern of insecurity in parts of Kaduna State, where rural communities have increasingly become targets of violent attacks and kidnappings.
In response to the attack, security forces were immediately mobilized to the area. Efforts are ongoing to rescue those abducted and to apprehend the bandits responsible for the killings and kidnappings.
Authorities have assured the public that the situation is being taken seriously and that measures are underway to restore peace and security in the area.
The Kaduna State government has been battling a surge in banditry and kidnappings in recent years, with several communities reporting similar attacks on farmers and residents. Despite increased military operations and patrols, bandits continue to operate with relative impunity, often moving swiftly across rural areas and carrying out attacks before security forces can respond.
Kaduna State, located in Nigeria’s Northwest, has been one of the states most affected by banditry in recent times. Armed groups often attack villages and farmlands, abducting people for ransom and causing widespread fear.
The bandits’ attacks disrupt farming seasons, leading to food shortages and economic losses for rural communities. Many farmers have been forced to abandon their lands due to security fears, further impacting the local economy.
The government has launched several military and police operations aimed at curbing bandit activities, but the problem persists due to the bandits’ ability to hide in difficult terrain and their access to weapons.
In the meantime, families of the victims and the community continue to mourn their losses and live-in fear, hoping for swift justice and peace to return to their lands.
