Bandits abduct five Kano nursing mothers, kill Taraba villagers

Bandits have abducted at least five nursing mothers in fresh attacks on Yan Kwada village in the Faruruwa community of Shanono Local Government Area, Kano State.

The Chairman, Faruruwa Security Community Forum, Alhaji Yahya Bagobiri, said the assailants stormed the community on motorcycles on Sunday night, also rustling about 50 cows and several other animals.

In a statement on Monday, Bagobiri said the incident caused panic among residents, forcing many to flee.

He expressed concern that the attacks persisted despite the recent deployment of heavily armed troops and other security personnel to the area.

We continue to see these attacks almost on a daily basis even with the presence of the military. We alerted security agents that the bandits were coming, but nothing was done until they arrived around 9pm,” he alleged.

Bagobiri said the bandits threw away the babies of the abducted women, taking their mothers away.

He added that one of the women later escaped, while four remain in captivity.

The community leader appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and other security chiefs to urgently intervene.

He, however, commended the recent military operations in the area, noting that two weeks ago troops reportedly killed 19 bandits, though two soldiers died in the encounter.

The latest attack has heightened fear across rural communities in Kano, particularly those bordering Katsina State, with some residents relocating to urban centres for safety.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, said he would investigate the incident.

Meanwhile, Catholic clerics and community groups in Southern Taraba have raised the alarm over what they describe as coordinated attacks by armed herdsmen, leading to widespread killings and displacement.

The Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Wukari, Rev. Fr. John Laikei, said dozens had been killed and several communities abandoned as attackers continued to occupy farmlands.

“Many people have been displaced, several killed, and others are receiving treatment for various injuries,” he said.

He described the pattern of violence as “deliberate and calculated,” alleging a plan to permanently seize ancestral lands.

Another priest, Rev. Fr. George Dogo of Holy Family Parish, Takum, criticised the security response, saying alerts to security agencies were often ignored due to insufficient manpower and resources.

Similarly, the Taraba Tiv Youth Development Forum urged Governor Agbu Kefas to deploy troops to Chanchanji Ward in Takum LGA to halt the attacks. The group said more than 1,000 families had been displaced in the past week.

Affected communities include Tse Uhembe, Tse Ugbaa, Yongogba, Gidin, Tse Adam, Tornyi, Unom, Sati Agia, Iorbume, Apiita, New Gboko and neighbouring settlements.

When contacted, Chairman of Takum LGA, John Ali, said meetings were ongoing to restore peace.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government says it is exploring science, technology and innovation to address insecurity and drive economic growth.

The Commissioner for Science and Technology said the 2025 World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights the importance of science in conflict resolution, sustainable development and improved living standards.

He said the state would hold a Festival of Innovation, Science and Technology to showcase local creativity and promote collaboration.

The event featured lectures, panel discussions, exhibitions, and STEM education initiatives.