No fewer than nine farmers have been killed and several others abducted following an attack by suspected bandits on Kakangi village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack occurred on Saturday as the victims were working on their farmlands, according to a security report prepared for the United Nations and obtained by AFP.
The report stated that the gunmen stormed the farmlands and opened fire on the farmers.
“Nine bodies have been recovered so far, with six of the victims identified by local authorities,” the report said.
A community leader in Birnin Gwari, Kabiru Ishaq, who visited the village to condole with residents, however, said 10 people were killed in the attack.
According to the security report and the community leader, the assault was carried out in retaliation after farmers reportedly killed a bandit during a failed robbery attempt earlier on Saturday.
The report said the deceased bandit’s accomplice later returned with other gunmen and launched the deadly attack on the farming community.
Birnin Gwari, one of the areas worst affected by banditry in Kaduna State, has witnessed repeated attacks despite a peace agreement reached between local communities and armed groups in November 2024.
Just last month, at least six farmers were reportedly killed while 20 others were abducted during a similar attack on Danauta village in the same local government area.
Bandit attacks have continued to disrupt farming activities across parts of northern and central Nigeria, with many communities facing killings, kidnappings and destruction of property.
