Repentant Bandits Kill Farmers, Abduct 22 in Kaduna Attack

Six farmers killed, 22 abducted as repentant bandits attack Layin Danauta village in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna on Monday.

Six farmers killed and 22 abducted by suspected repentant bandits in Layin Danauta village, Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State

Panic has returned to Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State after gunmen believed to be repentant bandits launched a deadly morning raid on Monday.

The attackers invaded farmlands in Layin Danauta village around 11 a.m., firing sporadically at farmers who were working on their crops.

Community sources who spoke to SaharaReporters said the assault happened on fields located just north of the village. It was swift and brutal.

By 11:30 p.m. on Monday, local volunteers had recovered six bodies from the scene. Several other farmers were injured and taken to nearby clinics for treatment.

The gunmen also abducted at least 22 people. Residents gave a preliminary breakdown of seven women and about 15 men taken into the bush. Search parties were still combing the area late into the night.

Locals fear more bodies may be found. As of press time, security agencies in Kaduna have not released an official casualty figure.

This fresh attack is coming barely 48 hours after a major protest rocked Birnin Gwari town.

On Saturday, youths trooped out to demonstrate against the activities of the so-called repentant bandits operating around the local government.

The protest was triggered by two incidents. First, the killing of Ibrahim Adamu, a commercial driver, along the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road. Adamu was said to be the grandson of a traditional ruler in the Birnin Gwari Emirate.

The second was the recent kidnapping of farmers from a nearby village, which heightened tension in the farming communities.

During the protest, angry youths chased out Fulani herders and other residents from the town centre. The situation nearly spiralled out of control.

Security operatives were deployed quickly to restore calm. Traditional rulers and community elders later stepped in to douse the tension.

Despite the intervention, many herders and travellers passing through Birnin Gwari have since fled the area over fears of reprisal attacks.

Residents are now calling on both the Kaduna State Government and federal security agencies to review the repentant bandits deal and increase protection for farmers ahead of the peak farming season.