Fear on Kaduna Roads: Bandits Abduct Students, Passengers in Kachia Ambush

Suspected bandits have abducted at least 10 students and several other passengers following an attack along the Awon–Kachia road in Kachia.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, April 26, targeted a vehicle conveying students returning to school after the weekend. According to a source, the victims were travelling towards Kachia when the attackers intercepted the vehicle and forcefully took occupants into captivity.

Three of the students reportedly managed to escape and later narrated how the abduction unfolded. One of the victims, identified as Purity Babangida, is feared dead after allegedly attempting to flee from the abductors.

Among those abducted are Augustina Muntari (SS2) and Happy Muntari (JS2) of Government Secondary School, Gumel; Favour Tanimu (JS2) and Patience Joseph (JS2) of Government Secondary School, Kachia; as well as Peace Irimiya and Bishara Irimiya of St John’s School, Kachia.

Others include the driver, Irimiya Galadima, alongside Fatu Danladi and Laraba Caleb.

The source described the attack as a major setback to ongoing efforts to promote girls’ education in northern Nigeria, citing the combined challenges of insecurity and cultural barriers.

“This unfortunate development is a big setback on the ongoing girls’ education campaign, especially in northern Nigeria where cultural beliefs and insecurity are now the order of the day,” the source said.

As of the time of filing this report, no contact had been established between the abductors and the victims’ families.

Authorities, including the Kaduna State Police Command and the Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.