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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Residents of Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State have raised alarm over the continued captivity of 32 villagers abducted by bandits more than a month ago.
Residents said the kidnappers have demanded a ₦30 million ransom and four motorcycles for their release; otherwise, they have threatened to kill them.
The victims 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 to journalists on the incident said the abducted victims include women, children and a 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 ₦30 million and four motorcycles as ransom.
“We have sold our property 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.
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The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Aribi Ward, Kenyi District, Kagarko LGA, Rev. John Maiaper, said the recurring attacks have crippled farming activities in the communities, which rely mainly on agriculture for survival.
Rev. Maiaper, who is also the cleric in charge of the Baptist Church in Kutaho community, disclosed that a few years ago the community was widely known for ginger farming, but this is no longer the case.
According to him, residents now mainly cultivate crops such as maize, groundnut and millet.
He said, “Last year our people were kidnapped and later released with support from well-meaning Nigerians. Now the bandits have returned again. Our people depend on farming, especially ginger, but insecurity has made farming almost impossible.”
Similarly, a community leader, Pastor Bello Danasabe, a pastor with Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), lamented that the economic situation of residents has worsened due to insecurity.
“Kutaho used to be known for farming, but now insecurity has reduced our economic strength. The bandits’ demand of ₦30 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.
The Kaduna State Police Command and the state government had yet to comment on the incident at the time of filing this report.
