Community Reels from Deadly Attack
Bandits struck the Rumaya Community in Akansan Garmadi, Kwassam Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Thursday night, killing a 27-year-old man, Piti Ezekiel, and abducting five others.
The National Secretary of the Kauru Local Government Area CDAs Forum, Danbaba Katuka, confirmed the incident on Friday during a telephone interview with FRONTPAGE. He also disclosed that one resident, a traditional titleholder in Kumana Chiefdom, Mr. Timothy Daure, aged 48, survived with gunshot injuries.
Details of the Attack and Victims
According to Katuka, the bandits invaded the village at approximately 10:30 p.m., taking strategic positions before opening fire sporadically. In the ensuing chaos, they killed Piti Ezekiel and abducted five others.
The kidnapped victims have been identified as:
- Afiniki Baban Gida, 46 years.
- Afiniki Timothy, 41 years.
- Talatu Timothy, 40 years.
- Manayi Abu, 36 years.
- Richard Dalhatu, 42 years.
Escalating Insecurity in Kauru Local Government Area
Katuka described the incident as the first attack on the Rumaya Community, which has now left residents traumatized. He noted that Kauru Local Government Area has become a hotspot for banditry, with frequent attacks crippling economic activities and displacing many households.
“This is the first time our community has been attacked, causing a nightmare for our people. The Government must act fast before these terrorists sack the entire Kauru communities,” Katuka said.
He added that locals have been forced to abandon their farms for fear of attacks, leaving behind unharvested produce and deepening economic hardships in the region.
Call for Government Action
Katuka emphasized the urgent need for a decisive military operation to dismantle the bandits’ camps and restore peace to the region.
“It has been one form of attack after another in different communities, and not much is being done by the Government to curtail the activities of these criminals. There’s a need for strong military operations to flush out these bandits,” he stated.
He also assured the government of the community’s willingness to provide all necessary support to address the security challenges.
Police Response Awaited
As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, was unavailable for comment.
A Region in Crisis
The attack underscores the growing insecurity in Kaduna State, where communities like those in Kauru Local Government Area face increasing threats from banditry and kidnappings. Residents have repeatedly called for stronger government intervention to protect lives and property, but progress remains slow.
For now, the Rumaya Community mourns its losses, hoping for swift action to prevent further tragedies and ensure lasting peace in the area.
