By Zagazola Makama
Bandits attacked the village of Karku (Ningi) in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Saturday morning, killing seven people and abducting a Catholic priest and ten others.
The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan confirmed the kidnapping of its priest and ten others, following an invasion of the village around 3:20 am that initially left three people dead.
A village source confirmed the killing of four more people, including two security officers, with three members of a local vigilante group also reported missing. Four others were injured and rushed to the hospital.
The Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, stated: “With profound sadness, we announce the kidnapping of our priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku… Fr. Nathaniel was kidnapped alongside ten (10) other people… This terrible event occurred at about 03:20 am (WAT) at his residence… At the time of writing this report, the incident has resulted in the killing of three people aside from those abducted.”
Another source, Mr. Yakubu J. Maigamo, National President of the Akurmi Development Association, who confirmed the total of seven killed, added: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the brutal attack on our people… Our hearts go out to the families of those affected by this senseless violence.”
He stated they had identified five community members and two security officers among those killed, with three others injured. He urged federal and state governments and security agencies to take immediate action to rescue the abducted and bring the perpetrators to justice.
