At least six travellers were kidnapped by suspected armed bandits during an attack along the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road, a notorious stretch plagued by insecurity, with four of the victims later regaining freedom under unclear circumstances.
The incident occurred over the weekend near the Buruku and Udawa axis of the highway, according to local sources. The victims were reportedly returning from a wedding when their vehicle was ambushed by gunmen, who opened fire before abducting six passengers at gunpoint.
Residents and families of the victims have raised concerns over what they describe as the Kaduna State Police Command’s refusal to provide details about the attack. Journalists and relatives seeking information were reportedly met with evasive responses, with no official briefing issued on the incident.
Sources in Birnin Gwari town confirmed that four of the abducted individuals—Shamsudeen Adamu, Abubakar Abubakar, Ibrahim Abbas, and Abdullahi Walli—have since been freed.
However, conflicting accounts have emerged regarding their release, with some residents claiming the victims escaped on their own, while others alleged that a ransom was paid.
As of the time of filing this report, two victims remain in captivity, with their families still uncertain about their condition or any ongoing negotiations.
A local source also dismissed claims of any existing peace deal with armed groups in the area, noting that bandits have resumed attacks on Birnin Gwari villages, destroying farm produce and targeting residents.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, Mansur Hassan, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not returned.
The latest attack underscores growing concerns over persistent insecurity along the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari corridor, despite repeated assurances by authorities of improved safety on the highway.
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