Southern Kaduna bandits kill NYSC corps member, abduct several residents

‎Four residents, including a recent NYSC member, were killed in a series of bandit attacks across Southern Kaduna between Tuesday and Thursday, with several others abducted.
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‎The violence unfolded primarily in Kachia Local Government Area, where bandits ambushed a commercial vehicle traveling from Awon village to Kachia town headquarters last Thursday evening. The attack claimed the lives of driver Ibrahim Makama and Jonathan Jeremiah, who had just completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. Several passengers were kidnapped, with some managing to escape by luck.
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‎Earlier in the week, another villager from Awon was murdered, while a resident from the Ankwa area was kidnapped and later killed after ransom demands.
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‎According to community member Sebastian Yakubu, a retired security officer remains in captivity two months after being kidnapped in the area.
‎ Yakubu also accused the local media of silence, alleging they have been “paid to be quiet” about the escalating crisis.
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‎The attacks have compounded a growing sense of abandonment among residents of Southern Kaduna, evidenced in earlier statements lamenting a devastating attack on Wakeh village on September 7, 2025, where eight people were killed, many injured, and homes razed.
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‎Other communities like Bishini and Katari continue to endure repeated assaults.
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‎Kaduna State government, in cooperation with federal agencies, has initiated the “Kaduna Model”,  a peace strategy involving engagement with notorious bandit leaders such as Yellow Jambros and Dogo Gide, known for mass killings and kidnappings. However, the approach has faced criticism from security experts and local residents, who argue it may embolden criminals instead of dismantling terror networks.
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