Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted seven persons, including women and children, from Anchuna village, Ikulu chiefdom in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack, which occurred on Wednesday night, threw the community into panic as the armed assailants stormed the village in large numbers, shooting sporadically before whisking their victims away.
A resident of the area, Samuel Kukah, a family member of the renowned Bishop Hassan Kukah, confirmed the incident on Friday.
He said that his younger brother, Ishaya Kukah, was among those taken.
“My brother, Ishaya was the only male among the abductees, the rest are women and children. They launched the attack around 11pm,” he told Daily Trust.
Kukah added there had been no contact from the kidnappers regarding a ransom demand.
“We are praying for their safety while waiting for any call,” he added.
He called on security agencies to take immediate action to secure the safe return of the victims, emphasising that most of those abducted were vulnerable individuals.
Kukah further urged security agencies to take immediate action to rescue the victims, emphasising that most of those abducted were vulnerable individuals.
This latest attack comes just days after SaharaReporters reported the killing of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu, a Catholic priest and pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, Tachira, in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The priest was abducted from his residence and later murdered by his captors.
The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan confirmed the tragic incident in a statement issued by its Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
“It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the tragic death of our beloved priest, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu who was kidnapped from his residence on the evening of 4th March 2025. After being taken by his abductors, we regret to inform you that Fr. Sylvester was cruelly killed in the early hours of today, the 5th of March 2025, Ash Wednesday,” the diocese stated.
The killing of Fr. Okechukwu and the recent abductions underscore the growing insecurity in Kaduna State, where attacks by armed groups have become frequent, leaving communities in a state of fear.
The Diocese has called for calm in the wake of the priest’s murder, urging residents to avoid acts of retaliation while demanding urgent government intervention to address the worsening security crisis.
Source: SaharaReporters
