Armed terrorists have killed one person and abducted 11 others, including three nursing mothers and their suckling babies, during a fresh attack on Ungwan Atiku village in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, deepening the humanitarian crisis in Southern Kaduna where scores of residents remain in captivity following earlier attacks.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday, June 28, claimed the life of Joseph Simon, while the gunmen whisked away Deborah David and her infant, Rejoice Jonathan and her infant, Deborah Aminu and her infant, Loise Geoffrey, Gerard Geoffrey, Mercy Timothy, Jummai Sunday and Wisdom Doctor.
The latest incident comes as families and community leaders continue to seek the rescue of 48 residents abducted in earlier attacks on Awon and Ariko communities, many of whom have now spent more than two months in terrorists’ camps.
The attack was disclosed by former media aide to the late Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Reuben Buhari, in a post on his verified social media page. He lamented that while efforts were ongoing to secure the release of victims from previous attacks, fresh abductions had continued unabated.
According to Buhari, 11 residents abducted from Awon village have now spent 72 days in captivity, while 37 worshippers and other residents kidnapped from Ariko community have remained in terrorists’ camps for 88 days. He prayed for their safe return, saying, “May freedom come to them sooner, and may healing come upon our land.”
