Armed bandits in the early hours of Tuesday invaded the Nasara Nursing and Maternity Home in Kujama, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting a medical doctor, five patients, and a security guard.
According to local reports, the attackers arrived in large numbers and first targeted the private medical facility before extending their assault to nearby houses. A security guard who tried to resist the gunmen was shot multiple times and later taken to another hospital for treatment.
The attack adds to the growing insecurity in Kaduna State, which has suffered a spate of violent incidents in recent weeks. Just last Friday, two police officers were killed when bandits launched an assault on the Divisional Police Headquarters in Zonkwa, the headquarters of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.
Over the past two years, nearly 500 people have been killed and more than 1,700 others abducted across Kaduna State, highlighting the persistent threat of banditry and terrorism in the region.
Governor Uba Sani has repeatedly stated that military operations alone cannot end the crisis. He has called for dialogue and peace agreements with armed groups. In January, he told BBC Hausa that a peace deal, facilitated with the support of traditional and religious leaders, led to the release of 200 kidnapped victims without any ransom payment.
However, despite these peace efforts, violent attacks have continued across the state. In Birnin Gwari, a mineral-rich area where a peace pact dubbed the Birnin Gwari Model was introduced, terrorists have continued to unleash violence on local communities.
Earlier this month, a deadly clash between a gang of bandits and artisanal miners claimed 17 lives. The confrontation, which began on 16 October and continued into the following day, erupted when miners resisted an extortion attempt by the terrorists over gold proceeds. The miners reportedly killed the gang leader, prompting a retaliatory assault by the gunmen, who stormed the mining site and killed seven miners.
The terrorists later attacked Layin Danauta village, home to some of the miners, killing nine people, injuring 13 others, and abducting several residents. Property was also destroyed during the assault.
In another recent incident, terrorists attacked the Zonkwa Divisional Police Headquarters in Zangon Kataf LGA, killing two officers. Days later, on 19 October, bandits invaded Idijiyi Unguwan Danladi Village in Kallah District of Kajuru LGA, killing one person and injuring others during a nighttime raid.
These successive attacks underscore the worsening security situation in Kaduna, where communities continue to live under constant threat despite ongoing government and security interventions.