Residents of Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have fled their homes following a violent midnight attack by bandits that resulted in the abduction of a Catholic catechist, his heavily pregnant wife, and approximately 30 others.
Fr. Linus Matthew Bobai, Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kutaho, told Business Day that fear has gripped the area, forcing over 90 percent of residents to seek refuge in neighbouring villages. The attackers struck around 2 a.m. on Monday, following prior threats and ransom demands targeting community members involved in irrigation farming and ginger cultivation.
Sixteen people were abducted from Kutaho, including the catechist, his wife, and their baby, while another 16 were taken from Kugir. Some residents and children managed to escape, and the village head narrowly survived a machete attack.
Fr. Bobai appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies for urgent intervention, stressing the humanitarian impact and calling for sustained security presence to prevent further attacks.
