Bandits killed four people in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, between Tuesday and Thursday, according to Sebastian Yakubu, a Kachia town resident, in an interview with Sahara Reporters. On Thursday evening, bandits ambushed a commercial vehicle traveling from Awon village to Kachia town, killing the driver, Ibrahim Makama, and Jonathan Jeremiah, a recent National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) graduate. Several passengers were kidnapped, while others narrowly escaped.
Yakubu reported that on Tuesday, bandits killed a farmer in Awon village and another local from the Ankwa area, despite receiving ransom for the latter. A retired security officer, kidnapped over two months ago, remains in captivity. Yakubu accused local media of being “paid to be quiet” about the ongoing crisis, reflecting widespread frustration among residents who feel neglected.
Communities in Kachia Local Government Area have voiced similar concerns, citing persistent bandit attacks and kidnappings that receive little attention. A statement by Rev. Fr. Agbo Gabriel highlighted an attack on Wakeh village on September 7, 2025, which killed eight, injured several, and destroyed homes. Other areas, like Bishini and Katari, have also faced repeated attacks.
In response, the Kaduna State government, alongside federal agencies, introduced the “Kaduna Model,” a peace initiative engaging notorious bandit leaders like Yellow Jambros and Dogo Gide, accused of mass killings and extortion. Critics argue this approach is flawed and fails to address the root causes of terrorism and banditry.
