- Gunmen attacked farmers on their fields outside Kakangi village in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.
- The attack was a retaliatory assault after farmers killed a bandit during a failed robbery attempt earlier that day.
- At least nine people were confirmed dead, and several other villagers were abducted by the criminal gang.
At least nine farmers have been killed and several others abducted after bandits raided farmlands outside Kakangi village in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the incident occurred on Saturday during the annual rainy season, a period when local farming communities have faced increased pressure from criminal gangs demanding illegal levies.
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According to a security report prepared for the United Nations and seen by AFP, the attackers swept into the fields and opened fire on the farmers while they were working.
The report stated that nine bodies have been recovered so far, with six of the victims formally identified by local authorities. However, a local community leader from Birnin Gwari, Kabiru Ishaq, reported that ten people were killed during the assault.
The raid was reportedly launched as a revenge attack. Earlier on Saturday, a group of farmers successfully defended themselves against a robbery attempt, killing one of the bandits.
The deceased bandit’s accomplice escaped the scene, gathered reinforcements, and returned to launch a retaliatory assault on the community.
The attack occurred despite a peace agreement brokered by local authorities between the agrarian communities of Birnin Gwari and the bandits in November 2024.
Security in the district remains highly volatile, following a similar attack last month in Danauta village where six farmers were killed and twenty others were kidnapped.
