By Paul Joseph
Suspected bandits have abducted at least 10 students and several other passengers after ambushing a vehicle along the Awon–Kachia road in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack occurred on Sunday as the victims, mostly students, were returning to school after the weekend.
According to local sources, the assailants intercepted the vehicle en route to Kachia and forcefully took the occupants into the bush.
Three of the students reportedly managed to escape and later narrated how the incident unfolded.
One of the victims, identified as Purity Babangida, is feared dead after allegedly attempting to flee from the attackers during the abduction.
Among those abducted are Augustina Muntari, a Senior Secondary School 2 student of Government Secondary School, Gumel; Happy Muntari, a Junior Secondary School 2 student of the same school; Favour Tanimu and Patience Joseph, both students of Government Secondary School, Kachia.
Others include Peace Irimiya and Bishara Irimiya of St John’s School, Kachia; the driver of the vehicle, Irimiya Galadima; as well as Fatu Danladi and Laraba Caleb.
A source described the incident as a major setback to efforts aimed at promoting girls’ education in northern Nigeria, noting that persistent insecurity continues to discourage school attendance in the region.
“This unfortunate development is a big setback to the ongoing campaign for girls’ education, particularly in northern Nigeria where insecurity remains a major challenge,” the source said.
As of the time of filing this report, the abductors had not established contact with the families of the victims.
Authorities, including the Kaduna State Police Command and the State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
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