Residents of Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State have deserted their homes following a deadly midnight bandit attack that led to the abduction of a Catholic catechist, his heavily pregnant wife, and about 30 other persons.
The parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kutaho, Linus Matthew Bobai, who confirmed the development to journalists, said most residents had fled to other villages.
“Before the incident, they called one of my parishioners and demanded ₦10 million, threatening to kidnap him if he failed to comply,” Mr Bobai said. “They claimed our people are into irrigation farming and ginger cultivation, and that means money.”
The cleric disclosed that the attackers abducted 16 persons from Kutaho, including a Catholic catechist, his pregnant wife and their baby, while another 16 persons were abducted from Kugir, bringing all the abducted victims to 32.
