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Barely 48 hours after Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani declared in a television interview that travellers could use the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road without security escorts, suspected bandits struck along the route on Thursday, killing one person.

The attack occurred at about 4 p.m., according to a resident of Birnin Gwari who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters via WhatsApp.

The assailants reportedly killed the victim, stole his motorcycle, and shot his brother, identified as Mallam Haruna, who was rushed to hospital for treatment after the attackers fled.

Governor Sani had, during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, challenged the programme’s anchor, Charles Aniagolu, to travel to Birnin Gwari himself or invite the station’s Kaduna correspondent to do so, insisting that the road was now safe and free of security threats.

However, residents disputed the governor’s claim, insisting that bandits remain active along the highway. They recalled that the criminals recently killed a commercial driver, said to be a grandson of one of the district heads in the Birnin Gwari Emirate, before abducting passengers travelling from Kaduna to Birnin Gwari.

Meanwhile, despite the Kaduna State Government’s widely publicised amnesty and reconciliation initiative with bandits, residents of several Birnin Gwari communities have raised fresh concerns over continued attacks and the destruction of farmlands.

In a statement issued under the banner of the Kuyello Progressives and signed by Mallam Abdullah, residents of Kuyello, Kutemeshi, Tabbanni, Dogon Dawa and Kazage appealed to the Birnin Gwari Local Government and the Kaduna State Government to urgently intervene, saying the reconciliation meeting held in Kamfanin Doka has failed to bring peace to their communities.

The residents alleged that herders continue to allow their livestock to graze on cultivated farmlands, destroying crops and leaving farmers with huge losses. According to the group, thousands of hectares of farmland have already been devastated, plunging many farming families into severe hardship.

The statement further alleged that killings, kidnappings, theft and the rape of girls and married women have continued unabated despite the peace accord, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of the government’s reconciliation efforts.

“We therefore appeal to the government and all relevant stakeholders to intervene immediately to stop this destruction and protect the lives, livelihoods and property of the affected communities,” the statement read.

The group said the affected communities have remained law-abiding and have continued to honour all the terms agreed during the peace process.

It expressed hope that the authorities would take prompt action to ensure justice, lasting peace and the protection of farming communities, warning that the people would no longer remain silent in the face of their continued suffering.

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Bandits have k!lled the Chief Imam of Talluje village in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attack, which began at about 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 targeted the Talluje and Chofi communities in Danchadi District and lasted for nearly two hours.

The attack also left two other residents d3ad and forced hundreds of people by fleeing their homes.

This brings to three the number of Chief Imams reportedly k!lled by bandits in Sokoto State within the past few weeks.

Local sources told Daily Trust that the assailants launched coordinated attacks on both communities simultaneously, shooting indiscriminately before fleeing with an unspecified number of rustled livestock.

“The attacks started around 4:00 p.m. and continued until about 6:00 p.m. The bandits k!lled the Chief Imam of Talluje and two other persons whose identities have yet to be confirmed,” a community leader in Danchadi said.

He added that the attacks triggered mass displacement, with residents, mostly women and children, fleeing on foot to safer areas in Danchadi and Bodinga town.

“As I speak, many people are arriving in our communities carrying their belongings after escaping from the affected villages,” the source said.

Another resident confirmed that the attackers also rustled a large number of livestock, although the exact figure could not be immediately verified.

A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the attack and the k!lling of the Chief Imam.

“We have received reports of the attack and have mobilized our anti-kidnapping unit to the area because there are fears the bandits may return,” the officer said.

According to residents, the attackers entered the communities through Duma village, which shares a border with Tureta Local Government Area, riding on motorcycles.

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Terrorists have k!lled a Catholic catechist who was abducted alongside five other captives during an attack on Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

32 victims, including a bride-to-be, Peace Lami Williams, were kidnapped on February 9, 2026 when heavily armed bandits invaded the two communities in a midnight raid, firing sporadically before forcing villagers from their homes and marching them into the forest.

It was gathered that the victims were k!lled despite months of ransom negotiations and payments by members of the affected communities.

A church source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed the latest development to journalists on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the Guardian reported.

According to the source, the incident has thrown the agrarian communities into mourning and renewed concerns over the worsening security situation.

The source disclosed that the communities had made frantic efforts to secure the freedom of the abductees through ransom payments and contributions from residents, many of whom reportedly sold personal belongings and farm produce in the hope of bringing their loved ones home alive.

The community sources identified those killed as Friday Agama, Kunama Dogo, Monday Tanko, Peace Lami Williams, a man identified simply as Pawpaw’s brother, and the Catholic catechist, who was reportedly subjected to severe torture before he d!ed in captivity.

The attack had sparked widespread fear, forcing many residents to flee the communities, while families and religious leaders repeatedly appealed to government and security agencies for urgent intervention.

According to community sources, the kidnappers initially demanded N30 million and four motorcycles for the release of the captives.

Despite months of negotiations and financial contributions by residents, the bandits later insisted on an additional N15 million before releasing the remaining victims.

“The community has been raising the money by itself. People contributed whatever they could and even sold valuables, hoping everyone would return alive,” one of the sources said.

The source lamented that despite the sacrifices made by residents, six of the captives were eventually k!lled.

Meanwhile, findings revealed that the attack was preceded by threats from the bandits.

Before the invasion, the gunmen reportedly contacted a parishioner, Bulus Alim, demanding N10 million and threatening to attack the community if the money was not paid.

The source said the bandits specifically cited the community’s thriving ginger cultivation and irrigation farming as evidence that residents had the financial capacity to meet their demands.

Despite warnings for residents to remain vigilant, the attackers returned as threatened and carried out the mass abduction.

Community sources further pointed out that women and children abducted during the attack were released on Easter Sunday.

The wife of the slain Catholic catechist, who was pregnant when she was abducted, was among those freed.

She later gave birth on Easter Wednesday after returning to the community.

The sources further disclosed that all abductees from Kugir community have now regained their freedom.

Two of the released victims, Williams Ishaya and Iliya Dauda, are currently receiving medical treatment in Kachia for injuries and trauma sustained during their captivity.

Two others, identified as Shedrack and Daniel Ganga, were also released and have since reunited with their families.

However, the latest k!llings have reignited calls for urgent government intervention to stem the growing wave of banditry in Southern Kaduna.

Residents said the prolonged captivity, repeated ransom demands and eventual k!lling of six victims have devastated the affected communities and weakened their means of livelihood.

They appealed to Governor Uba Sani, the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations, strengthen security presence in vulnerable rural communities and ensure that those responsible for the k!llings are arrested and prosecuted.

Community members also expressed concern that despite complying with ransom demands through self-help efforts, they still lost six of their loved ones, describing the development as a painful reminder of the insecurity confronting rural communities.