Gunmen believed to be bandits have struck Kadaje community in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing at least eight persons and abducting 11 others, including a Catholic Diocese priest.
SaharaReporters learnt that the gunmen struck on Monday morning despite the presence of military formations in Kachia and the ongoing air strikes on bandits’ hideouts in the state.
A source said the bandits raided the community with “impunity” adding that the priest of the Catholic diocese of Kachia was feared to be abducted with the 11 residents.
The source said, “I feel very disheartening. Will Kaduna ever regain its days of peace and tranquility? The people of Kadaje of Kachia woke up early Monday with gunshots of bandits. They injured and abducted people with impunity.
“We called and cried for help but it never came even with the presence of military formations. At the moment, 11 persons are missing while eight have died. A priest of the Catholic diocese of Kachia is also missing.”
Only last Friday, the Nigerian military killed many bandits and destroyed their camps in some forests in the Chikun and Birnin Gwari local government areas of the state.
The development was recorded by the “air component of Operation Thunder Strike during a series of aerial missions across several locations in Kaduna State.”
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Homeland Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, gave the feedback to the public through an official statement.
“Afterwards, a show-of-force was conducted over Gwagwada, Gadani, Chikun, Kusasu, Iburu, Zamba, Shiroro, Kuta, Kwatayi and Erena, spanning Chikun, Kachia and Kajuru LGAs. All locations covered were reported calm with no threats observed.
“These air operations, which include air interdiction, armed reconnaissance and patrols are set to be sustained over the coming days over Kaduna metropolis and other areas of interest in the state. Major highways will also be covered, including the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria, Kaduna-Kachia and Kaduna-Afaka roads,” he had said.
