Suspected bandits have launched fresh attacks on communities in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State, killing one resident and abducting four others in separate raids on Kagadama and Bagel villages.
The attackers are also said to have demanded a ₦50 million ransom from the families of the kidnapped victims.
The incidents were disclosed by former Bauchi State House of Assembly member and House of Representatives aspirant, Hon. Maryam Bagel, who expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the area.
In a post shared on Facebook on Wednesday, Bagel revealed that the first victim was a pharmacy owner in Kagadama village, who was abducted by armed men. According to her, the kidnappers later contacted his family and demanded ₦50 million for his freedom.
She lamented that such a huge demand was unrealistic for a small business owner operating in a rural community.
Bagel also recounted the killing of a resident identified as Shahibi, saying the gunmen stormed Bagel village less than a week after the first kidnapping and shot him several times in front of his wife and children. She noted that Shahibi had previously been kidnapped about a year ago.
The violence did not end there. According to Bagel, the assailants returned to Kagadama on Tuesday in another attempt to abduct a shop owner. Although the intended target managed to escape after the gunmen opened fire, the attackers allegedly kidnapped three other people instead.
Those abducted reportedly include a 10-year-old boy who was attending the shop, a young man who had just returned home from the hospital, and another resident.
Describing the attacks as alarming, Bagel called on security agencies and the Bauchi State Government to take immediate action to protect residents and prevent criminal groups from gaining further ground in the area.
She warned against a return to the widespread kidnapping crisis that previously affected parts of Bauchi State and urged authorities to strengthen security across vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the attacks. The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said security operatives are actively working to rescue the abducted victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Our men are aware of the situation and are on top of the matter,” Habib assured.
