Barely one week after the abduction of 177 church worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, suspected bandits have again attacked the area, abducting six residents in a fresh assault that has deepened fear and anger among local communities.
The latest attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Unguwar Barkonu in Maraban Kajuru, located in Kufana Ward of the local government. The incident happened even as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was holding special prayers for the safe return of the worshippers abducted during a church service last week.
A resident of the community, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said the armed men invaded the area at about 1 am. According to him, the attackers moved from house to house, breaking doors and forcefully taking away six people to an unknown destination.
“Bandits stormed our community at about 1 am. They broke into houses and took six people away,” the source said. “They were armed and moved freely, and people were too scared to challenge them.”
The resident expressed deep frustration over the location of the attack, noting that it did not take place in a remote or hard-to-reach village. According to him, Maraban Kajuru is a major town where residents expect a visible security presence.
“This did not happen in a village hidden in the bush without access roads,” he said. “It happened right in the heart of Kajuru, in Kudana, where people should feel safe. That is what is most painful.”
He also lamented the lack of a quick response from security agencies during and after the attack. “As of the time we are talking, there was no response from the police or any other security agency. The community was left on its own,” he added.
The repeated attacks have raised serious concerns about the safety of residents in Kajuru and other parts of southern Kaduna, an area that has suffered years of violence linked to banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of CAN in Kajuru Local Government Area, Reverend Enoch Kaura, said the attack occurred late on Saturday night. He explained that the bandits surrounded the community and created panic before fleeing with six people.
“They came around 11 pm and surrounded the whole area,” Rev. Kaura said. “There was fear everywhere. But when neighbours raised the alarm and people began to come out of their houses, the attackers fled with six residents.”
He described the situation as deeply troubling, especially because it happened so soon after the abduction of 177 worshippers from a church in the same local government area. According to him, the latest incident has increased fear and anxiety among residents.
“It is painful that while families are still crying and praying for the return of the 177 abducted worshippers, bandits have struck again,” he said. “The entire Kajuru axis is now living in fear.”
The abduction of the 177 church worshippers last week drew national attention and condemnation. The worshippers were reportedly taken during a church service in Kajuru Local Government Area, sparking outrage and renewed calls for stronger security measures in Kaduna State and across the country.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a major security challenge in Kaduna and many other states in northern Nigeria. Armed groups often target villages, highways, schools, and places of worship, taking victims into forests and demanding money for their release. Many families are forced to sell property or borrow money to secure the freedom of their loved ones.
In response to the earlier abduction, CAN organised a special prayer session on Sunday at Tawaliu Baptist Church in Maraban Kajuru. The prayer meeting was aimed at seeking divine intervention for the safe return of the abducted worshippers and lasting peace in the area.
The prayer session attracted Christian leaders from across Kaduna State and parts of northern Nigeria. Pastors, church members, and community leaders gathered to pray and show support for affected families.
Families of the abducted worshippers attended the service, many of them visibly emotional. Some were seen shedding tears as prayers were offered for their loved ones, while others held on to hope that they would return home safely.
Church leaders used the occasion to call on the government and security agencies to take stronger action against banditry. They urged authorities to intensify rescue efforts and ensure that communities are protected from further attacks.
“We cannot continue like this,” one church leader said during the service. “Our people are living in fear. We need the government to act fast and bring back all those who have been abducted.”
Residents of Kajuru say the repeated attacks have disrupted daily life. Many people now avoid travelling at night, while some families have sent their children to stay with relatives in safer areas. Markets and social activities have also been affected as fear spreads across communities.
Southern Kaduna has long struggled with insecurity, driven by a mix of banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, and ethnic and religious tensions. Despite several military and police operations launched over the years, attacks have continued, leaving residents feeling abandoned and unsafe.
Community leaders say there is an urgent need for improved security patrols, intelligence gathering, and closer cooperation between security agencies and local vigilante groups. They also stress the importance of addressing poverty and unemployment, which they believe contribute to the rise in crime.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Kaduna State Government or the police confirming the latest abduction. Residents, however, say action is needed quickly to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the security system.
For families of both the newly abducted residents and the 177 church worshippers, the wait continues. With each new attack, hope is mixed with fear, and prayers have become a daily routine for many in Kajuru.