Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
In a recent wave of terror along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, a chilling incident unfolded as more than 85 individuals, both travellers and residents, fell victim to ruthless abductions by terrorists at Katari, near Katari, in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Tragically, the attackers claimed the lives of at least four residents during the violent episode.
The Kaduna State Police Command acknowledged a bandit attack on the expressway at Dogon Fili near Katari. Although they confirmed engaging in a fierce battle with the criminals, the command remained silent on the specifics of the traveller abductions.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, security operatives confronted the terrorists, resulting in a crossfire where some travellers sustained gunshot injuries. The injured victims, including Jibrin Tasiu, Jummai Abubakar, Zafira Abubakar, AbdulKarim Nurudeen, Chinedu Jerry Moneke, and Ayo James, were promptly rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
Truth Live News gathered that despite the official statement describing the incident as an “unfortunate isolated incident,” on-ground reports from correspondents contradicted this narrative. Our correspondents found that over 30 travellers were abducted, with an additional 55 individuals taken in nearby villages.
The District Head of Bishini, Yohana Sarki, highlighted the persistent attacks on villages despite a substantial military presence along the highways. He appealed for increased security deployment to safeguard the affected communities.
A resident and village leader recounted the traumatic events, emphasizing that the attackers spoke the Fulani language and were likely foreigners. The bandits blocked the major highway, abducting travellers, and conducting raids on villages in the Katari area. The Chief Imam of the Katari Central Mosque, Suleiman Mohammed, echoed the severity of the Sunday attack, confirming that bandits blocked the Kaduna-Abuja highways, abducting numerous travellers.
The Chief Imam noted that the bandits typically contact individual homes rather than making direct ransom demands for those abducted along the road. This raises questions about the motives behind these attacks and the safety of those abducted.