Tragedy Strikes: Bandits Claim 9 Lives, Abduct Ex-CBN Director and 34 Others in Kaduna

• Nine individuals tragically lose their lives, with 35 abducted and nine injured in ruthless attacks in Kaduna State
• Retired CBN Director Zakariya Markus targeted, highlighting the indiscriminate violence plaguing communities in Kauru and Igabi LGAs

Kaduna State has been rocked by violence, with nine individuals tragically losing their lives in the communities of Kwasam in Kauru Local Government Area and Gwada in Igabi Local Government Area.

Among the victims of this ruthless attack are 35 individuals who have been abducted, including a retired Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), his brother, and the brother’s wife. Additionally, nine people have been reported injured as a result of the banditry in these areas.

The retired CBN Director, identified as Zakariya Markus, became a target of the assailants, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.

Further details reveal the extent of the devastation, with six fatalities, five abductions, and two injuries recorded in Kauru LGA. Meanwhile, in Igabi LGA, three lives were lost, seven individuals sustained injuries, and a staggering 30 others were forcefully taken.

Eyewitnesses recount the chilling events that unfolded last Friday, around 10 pm, as the bandits descended upon the unsuspecting communities. Armed and ruthless, they seized control, terrorizing residents and forcibly taking hostages.

According to reports, the bandits targeted the residence of the retired CBN staff, abducting him along with his brother and sister-in-law. Despite the brave attempts of some residents to intervene, their efforts were met with gunfire, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives and further injuries.

The victims, including Danmasani Gwaska, Mrs. Giwa John, Kapishi Barmu, Ganya Ubangida, Shigama Salisu, and Gani Magawata, represent a heart-wrenching toll of innocent lives claimed by senseless violence.

Those abducted, including Mr. Zakariya Markus, Mr. Monday Markus (the retired CBN director’s younger brother), Mrs. Monday Markus (the wife of Monday), Mr. Alhamdu Makeri’s son, and Baban Fati of Kauru, await a precarious fate at the hands of their captors.

As Kaduna grapples with this tragedy, questions arise about the security of its communities and the safety of its residents. The need for swift and decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the abducted individuals is paramount.