Bandits kill nine farmers in Kaduna, kidnap others

A security report prepared for the United Nations stated that attackers swept into farmlands outside Kakangi village in Birnin Gwari district on Saturday and shot farmers. Nine bodies have been recovered, with six victims identified by local authorities. Kabiru Ishaq, a community leader in Birnin Gwari, reported 10 fatalities.

The attack was reportedly in retaliation for farmers killing a bandit during a failed robbery attempt earlier the same day. Kaduna is among several states in northern and central Nigeria affected by these gangs, who raid villages, kill and kidnap residents for ransom, and loot homes. Attacks on farming communities in the agrarian Birnin Gwari district have persisted despite a November 2024 peace agreement between local authorities and bandits.

Last month, at least six farmers were killed and 20 kidnapped in an attack on Danauta village in the same district.