Bandits Strike in Kaduna, Kidnap Newly-Weds, Imam, Others

In a disturbing incident on Tuesday night, bandits launched a brazen attack on the Dan-Honu community in the Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, resulting in the abduction of a newly-wedded couple, an Islamic cleric, and several others.

Armed with AK47 rifles and clad in dark attire, the criminals descended upon the area around 9 pm, targeting both the newly-weds and the Imam of the community mosque, among others. A resident revealed that at least eight individuals were forcibly taken, including the Imam, his wife, and three children, including a 10-month-old baby.

The criminals, numbering about ten, broke into homes, initially seizing the Imam and his family before progressing to other residences, where they abducted the newly-wedded couple. A resident, narrowly escaping abduction, shared the harrowing experience, recounting how the bandits, after encountering resistance, resorted to breaking windows to gain access.

The Imam, who managed to escape the clutches of the bandits, recounted the terror, mentioning that two of the assailants were armed with AK47 rifles and callously beat a 10-month-old baby for crying. Fortunately, the Imam’s wife and the baby escaped, but the bandits successfully fled with the new groom and two children of the Imam.

As the community grappled with the aftermath of the attack, a vigilant local, firing a shot into the air, disrupted the criminals’ plans, leading to the rescue of some victims. The new bride was abandoned in the bush by the bandits, and the Imam’s wife was freed when her baby’s cry drew attention.

Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident, stating that police operatives repelled the attackers and successfully rescued the kidnapped victims. While the immediate danger may have passed, the community remains on edge, awaiting any developments and hoping for the safe return of those still in the hands of the bandits.