Suspected bandits have attacked a community in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting a catechist, his pregnant wife and about 30 other residents.
The Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kagarko, Rev. Fr. Linus Matthew Bobai, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television, lamenting the deteriorating security situation in the area.
Bobai said the gunmen invaded the community, throwing residents into panic and forcing many to flee to neighbouring villages for safety.
According to him, some soldiers later arrived from a nearby village and conducted a patrol shortly after the incident, but their presence did not significantly ease the tension.
He said the majority of residents had since deserted the community.
“After the attack, soldiers came from a neighbouring village and moved around briefly before leaving. Since then, nothing much has happened.
“The community is in serious distress. More than 98 per cent of the residents have relocated to a nearby village.
As of last night, fewer than 40 persons slept in the community,” the priest said.
He added that fear continued to grip the area, with many residents unwilling to return.
“We are anxious, but as pastors, we cannot abandon the community.
We encouraged a few people to remain behind so we can look after what is left,” he added.
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Kaduna State has continued to witness recurring attacks in several local government areas, leading to loss of lives, abductions and mass displacement of residents.
