Bandits Kill One, Abduct 11 in Kaduna Community — Parish Priest Raises Alarm

Suspected bandits have killed one person and abducted 11 others during a midnight attack on Gadanaji community in Kachia Local Government Area, with the Parish Priest of St. John Paul II Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Francis Ezeokwelume, lamenting the ordeal and calling for urgent intervention.

The cleric, who confirmed the incident, said the attackers struck in the early hours of Thursday, operating for a considerable period without any resistance.
“At about 1:44 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026, more than 20 armed bandits attacked residents of Gadanaji in Kaduna State,” he said.

“One person was killed, while 11 others, including women and children, were abducted. The bandits also made away with three motorcycles and other valuables from the community," he said.


Fr. Ezeokwelume expressed deep sorrow over the incident, noting that the attackers unleashed sporadic gunfire that threw residents into panic and forced many to flee their homes.

According to him, families were caught off guard as the calm of the night was shattered by gunshots, leaving villagers scrambling for safety.
He described the attack as tragic and disturbing, especially as it targeted vulnerable members of the community, including women and children.

The priest called for prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for the safe return of those abducted, while also urging security agencies to intensify efforts to protect rural communities.
Residents, he said, have since deserted their homes, seeking refuge in neighbouring communities over fears of further attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.