By Asaye Bankole
At least two people have reportedly been killed, while 20 others were abducted after suspected terrorists attacked Akwando community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack, which reportedly occurred around midday on Wednesday, was confirmed on Thursday by the President of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA), Dr Joseph Ariko, and the association’s Publicity Secretary, Manasseh Samuel Akwando.
The association expressed concern over the incident, saying it had further heightened tension among residents who were already traumatised by repeated attacks on communities in the area.
It noted that the latest incident came amid lingering fears following an earlier attack on Ariko community during Easter Sunday, which reportedly left several people dead.
KUDA also released the names of the 20 residents allegedly abducted during Wednesday’s attack. They include Usman Galadima, La’a’zarus Genesis, Madalin Markus, Happy Stephen, Lovet Ishaya, Amina Ahmadu and Musa Genesis.
Others identified as victims include Janet Irimeya, Gloria Markus, Zila Stephen, Alis Ahmadu, Haske Ahmadu, Great Isiac, Hanatu Irimeya, Desmon Ishaya, Siam Shagari and Nansy Genesis, among others.
Recalling previous security incidents, the association said five people were reportedly killed during the Easter attack on Ariko, while another 17 victims later died in captivity.
It also mentioned an attack on Awon community, where two people were allegedly killed and 11 others abducted, with some of the victims reportedly dying while being held captive.
According to the association, the persistent attacks have forced many residents to abandon their homes and farmlands, while others have been displaced from their ancestral communities.
KUDA called on the Federal and Kaduna State Governments to urgently intervene by deploying adequately equipped security personnel to vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks.
The association also demanded coordinated security operations to rescue those still in captivity, the establishment of permanent security posts in affected areas and the prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, reportedly failed to respond to telephone calls and a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.
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