Bandits have raided three communities – Azara, Jangala and Kadara – in Kagarko and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State, abducting 37 residents in the last three days.

The victims were mostly women, including three nursing mothers, and children.

Our reporter further learnt that the rampaging bandits also gunned down a retired soldier and one of his sons at neighbouring Katambi village, two kilometers away from Kateri town, along the Abuja – Kaduna highway.

The Sarkin Azara in Kachia local government, Mustapha Ibrahim, confirmed the abduction over the phone to our reporter on Thursday.

He said the bandits, wielding weapons and in large number, invaded Azara community around 12am on Thursday and abducted 10 people.

According to him, four women, including three nursing mothers and six male adults were among the victims, saying they were asleep in their rooms when the bandits came, woke them up and whisked them away at gunpoint.

“Before we could alert soldiers who are always on patrol along the highway to come to our rescue, the bandits had left with their victims,” he said.

He said the bandits proceeded to a Fulani settlement popularly called (Rugan Alhaji Karbo), a few meters away from Azara, and abducted two herders at the camp.

“This morning, again, I received a call that bandits invaded Kurutu village and killed a retired soldier and one of his sons and carted away some foodstuff,” he said.

He further disclosed that 12 people were abducted by the bandits, who invaded Kadara village in Kagarko LGA on Sunday around 10:12 pm.

He said six among those abducted were members of the same family.

“Also, 13 people - 12 women and a male adult - were abducted by bandits at Janjala village in Kagarko LGA last Thursday,” he said.

Head of the village, Aliyu Ibrahim, also confirmed the abduction over the phone to our reporter on Thursday.

He said the bandits came via a bush path, which shared border with Kachia LGA and raided the community, whisking away their victims at gun point.

“In fact, for the past three to four days, my people have been under siege as a result of attacks by bandits. We now sleep with our eyes open, even as some of my people are leaving the village as I speak now,” he said.

No immediate report from the police in the state on the incident.

Daily Trust