Bandits have killed two residents and abducted at least 18 others in an overnight attack on Akwando community in Kuturmi, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
However, the Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA) put the number of abducted residents at 20, raising concerns over the worsening security situation in the area.
The attack reportedly occurred around midnight on Wednesday, November 4, when the gunmen stormed the community and opened fire on residents.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants killed two people and took several others away.
A security source familiar with the incident, who was not authorised to speak publicly, also confirmed the attack to Daily Trust, saying 18 villagers were abducted and two killed.
“Yes, 18 villagers were abducted but two people were killed,” the source said.
In a statement on Thursday, KUDA identified the deceased as Irimiya Galadima, 41, and Benjamin Danlami, 32.
The association, in the statement jointly signed by its President, Dr Joseph Ariko, and Publicity Secretary, Manasseh Samuel Akwando, listed the abducted residents as Usman Galadima, La’a’zarus Genesis, Madalin Markus, Happy Stephen, Lovet Ishaya, Afiniki Irimeya, Amina Ahmadu, Miracle Genesis, Hellen Irimeya and Musa Genesis.
Others are Janet Irimeya, Gloria Markus, Zila Stephen, Alis Ahmadu, Haske Ahmadu, Great Isiac, Hanatu Irimeya, Desmon Ishaya, Siam Shagari and Nansy Genesis.
The association expressed concern over recurring attacks on communities in Kuturmi land, saying the latest incident had further deteriorated the security situation.
It recalled that an Easter Sunday attack on Ariko community reportedly left five people dead at the scene, while another 17 victims later died in captivity.
KUDA also cited an attack on Awon community, where two people were reportedly killed and 11 others abducted.
According to the association, five of those abducted in Awon regained their freedom on November 3, but one reportedly died the following day. Another victim escaped, while five others died in captivity.
It said the repeated attacks had forced residents to flee their homes and farmlands, disrupted economic activities and heightened fear across affected communities.
The association further alleged that armed groups had restricted residents’ access to their ancestral lands, demanding levies before allowing them to cultivate their farms or harvest crops.
It called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to urgently deploy adequately equipped security personnel to Akwando, Ariko, Awon and other vulnerable communities.
It also demanded coordinated operations to rescue those abducted, the establishment of permanent security posts, regular patrols and effective early-warning systems.
Meanwhile, some residents of Babban Saura PW in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, abducted by bandits since October 1, 2026, are still being held captive.
Among them are Hafsat Sikiru and her son, Abdulsalam. Her husband and the boy’s father, Sikiru Shuaibu, was killed while attempting to protect his family during the attack.
Other residents of the community also remain in captivity, despite the recent rescue of eight kidnap victims by security agencies during an operation in the forest.
One of those rescued was a pregnant woman abducted from her residence in Millennium City on October 6, 2026.
Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, could not be reached for comment on the Akwando attack, while the state Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs had yet to issue a public statement as of the time of filing this report.
