*’Residents Flee Homes’
*Fear Engulfs Kagarko Communities
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A traditional ruler, the Dakachi (village head) of Kugir community, Kagarko Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, is presently battling for his life in hospital following life-threatening injuries he received when terrorists swooped on his domain in a midnight raid.
A social media user, identified as Steven Kefas, on his Facebook wall, described the attackers as “Fulani.”
Confirming the incident, parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kutaho, in same LGA, Rev. Fr. Linus Matthew Bobai, said it was by the mercy of God Almighty that the royal father, whose name he did not give, escaped his assailants by the whiskers, badly injured, bleeding from head to toe, but alive, before being rushed to hospital for treatment.
Rev. Fr. Bobai said the attackers also struck at nearby Kutaho where his (Bobai’s) church is located, kidnapping several persons including the parish Catechist, his heavily pregnant wife and scores of others.
Both Kugir and Kutaho are in Aribi Ward of the LGA.
The clergyman himself was away on pastoral assignment when the attacks took place.
Fr. Bobai revealed that the village head was identified by the terrorists, who proceeded to chase and attack him with machetes, possibly with intent to murder the traditional ruler.
“The Dakachi was almost killed. His head and arm were badly injured, and he had to be rushed to Kagarko for treatment,” he disclosed.
The developments have sparked a near-mass exodus of both communities as residents have deserted their homes to locations deemed safer.
Bobai said the twin attacks occurred about 2am last Monday.
According to Rev. Fr. Bobai, fear has gripped the area.
Giving details, the cleric said the assailants stormed the communities after issuing prior threats demanding for ransom from the residents.
He said: “Before the incident, they called one of my parishioners and demanded ₦10 million, threatening to kidnap him if he failed to comply.
“They claimed our people are into irrigation farming and ginger cultivation, and that means money.”
He explained that in spite of warnings by community leaders for residents to remain vigilant, the bandits came as promised and launched a coordinated attack while he (Bobai) was away in Kaduna to procure textbooks for St. Joseph School.
The cleric disclosed that the attackers abducted 16 persons from Kutaho, including the Catechist, his pregnant wife, and their baby, while another 16 persons were taken from Kugir, bringing the total number of abducted victims to 32.
He said the gunmen initially kidnapped over 20 residents in Kutaho but later released elderly persons and those with health challenges.
In Kugir, he said, the attackers reportedly invaded a church outstation residence, abducting several occupants, including children, although, Bobai added, some victims managed to escape while being led away.
On security response to the attacks, the priest noted that soldiers stationed in a neighbouring community had earlier been informed following the initial threat.
He added that complaints had been lodged, though residents said the area lacked regular security patrols.
The priest appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene, stressing that the mass displacement of residents has worsened the festering humanitarian situation in the area.
“More than 90 percent of our people slept outside the community. Only a few of us remained behind to keep vigil. Our members cannot continue to run indefinitely,” he said.
The attack once again highlighted the persistent security challenges confronting rural communities in parts of Kaduna State, where residents continue to call for sustained security presence and proactive patrols to prevent further attacks.
Families of the abducted victims have appealed for prayers and swift government intervention to ensure the safe release of their loved ones and the restoration of normalcy in the affected communities.
As of the time of filing this report, the State Police Command was yet to issue any official statement on the incidents, even as repeated calls placed to the command’s spokesperson by newsmen went unanswered.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Kaduna State Gov Uba Sani.
