Gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons abducted several residents in coordinated attacks across villages in Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on Thursday evening.
The assailants targeted villagers returning from farms near Agwallan Centre, Janwuriya, and Afogo, kidnapping an unspecified number of people.
Later, another group of gunmen stormed Kallah and Aokpeshura villages, firing indiscriminately and abducting more residents, including women and children.
Among those kidnapped from Kallah village were Simon Audi, 29, Beuty Audu, 23, and six-month-old Holliness Simon.
Local sources confirmed that Enoch Simon, 40, was rescued, while Anthony Saidu, 32, and Jenecy Obasanjo, 20, sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at a hospital in Kujama.
Preliminary reports from security sources suggest the attacks may have been orchestrated by a repentant bandit, Babban Gayya, possibly in retaliation for the killing of his men by military operatives.
Troops are actively conducting search and rescue operations to locate the remaining victims and secure their safe return.
