Bandits Strike Again in Kaduna, Hijack Van With Christmas Supplies

A gang of armed bandits hijacked a pickup van loaded with foodstuff and drinks meant for Christmas celebrations in Akoti village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The incident occurred on Wednesday, just two days after another group of bandits stole food and drinks from a motorcyclist in the area.

A local community leader confirmed the attack, revealing that the van, which was transporting bags of rice, jerrycans of vegetable oil, energy drinks, and bottled water, was en route from Jere to Akoti village. The items were intended for Christmas festivities.

According to the source, the armed bandits, wielding AK-47 rifles, emerged from the forest, flagged down the van, deflated some of its tyres, and forced it off the road into the forest. The driver and his conductor were ordered to offload the supplies, after which the bandits released them unharmed.

The owner of the goods, who was still in Jere at the time, narrowly escaped abduction. “He had instructed the driver to deliver the items to Akoti while he planned to join them later,” the community leader explained.

Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Police Command for confirmation were unsuccessful as their spokesman, ASP Hassan Mansur, had not issued a statement by the time of this report.