Armed bandits launched a fresh attack on Kumana Chiefdom’s Kwassam Ward in Galadimawa town, as well as Rumaya communities in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing two people and abducting five others.

During the attack, which occurred on Monday, three other residents sustained gunshot wounds as the assailants stormed the communities in large numbers, firing indiscriminately and leaving villagers in distress.

A resident of T/Wada Garmadi, Rumaya Kwassam Ward, Mr. Joel Ahada, confirmed the attack and strongly condemned the violence, describing it as a gross violation of human rights and a threat to rural dwellers.

“Has our government turned a deaf ear to our plight? We demand urgent action and protection for our communities!” Ahada lamented.

He identified the deceased as Shehu Umaru and Philip Barde, while those injured were Vincent Danjuma, Francis Habila, and Amu Bawa. The kidnapped victims were named as Shekarau Umaru, Nathan Danjuma, Augustine Samuel, Dawo Bawa, and Hon. Christopher Sayi.

Ahada called for prayers for the peaceful repose of the deceased, the safe return of those abducted, and the swift recovery of the injured.

No fewer than 10 passengers have been abducted by gunmen along the Owo-Benin highway in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The gunmen reportedly attacked the commercial bus the passengers were travelling in after which they were marched into the bush.

It was gathered that the passengers were on their way from Akwa Ibom to Akure when the incident happened.

One of the sources, who craved anonymity, disclosed that the driver of the space bus had initially thought that the gunmen were security operatives but realised that they were criminals when they shot sporadically into the air.

” They were kidnapped on the Owo-Ipele road on Saturday morning at about 12 am. Their vehicles were stopped, and they were dragged into the bush to an unknown destination.

“The hoodlums ambushed them and whisked all the occupants of the vehicle into the bush. All the occupants of the vehicle were abducted and nobody heard anything about them since then.

However, the police image maker in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami, however, stated only seven people were kidnapped.

“The police received information that a vehicle was attacked along the Owo/Ifon road, and seven people were suspected to have been abducted.

“Seven travellers were involved; they were coming from Akwa Ibom State in a commercial bus. Our men are already making efforts to rescue the victims from the kidnappers and arrest the perpetrators.”

President Bola Tinubu has issued marching orders to the military to end banditry and general insecurity by the end of 2025.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, in a viral video.

Following Tinubu’s order, Badaru said the military will continue its onslaught against bandits and all forms of criminalities.

The Minister said bandits are currently on the run and that the military won’t stop until they are all flushed out.

According to Badaru: “The bandits are now on the run, but the military will not rest until we end this thing. The president has given us marching orders to end insecurity in every part of our country by the end of this year.

“The Chief of Defence Staff, NSA are working day and night to actualize that target, as you have seen we are putting pressure on all the theatre operations.

“And indeed, mining activities have been lifted in Zamfara already and this is part of the reason we are meeting today to look at all areas where we have serious security issues and how best we can secure those areas.”