How Bandits Killed My 2 Cousins, Uncle In Southern Kaduna – Resident

A resident of Ungwan Atiku community in Kachia local government area of Kaduna State, Mr Gideon Ezekiel, has recounted how bandits killed two of his cousins and an uncle in separate attacks in Southern Kaduna this year.

Ezekiel, who spoke with LEADERSHIP following the recent attack on his community, said the loss of his relatives reflected the worsening security situation confronting residents of the area.

According to him, his uncle was killed by suspected bandits on his farm on May 26, 2026, while his two cousins were killed on June 22, 2026.

“I lost my two cousins and my uncle to these attacks this year. Bandits killed them in desperate attacks,” Ezekiel said.

Ezekiel explained that his two cousins were killed while travelling on the road, while his uncle was attacked on his farm.

“My two cousins were attacked on the road, while my uncle was attacked on the farm. These attacks have continued for years, and many families in our communities have lost their loved ones,” he said.

Ezekiel further alleged that communities in the area had been under constant threat from armed groups for more than three years, with repeated incidents of killing, kidnapping and attacks on farmlands.

He said the residents had repeatedly appealed to security agencies, the Kachia local government authorities and traditional rulers to strengthen security presence in the affected communities.

“For more than three years, we have been crying for help because these attacks keep happening. We have reported these incidents to the local government authorities and traditional rulers and have also appealed for a security checkpoint at one of the major access routes used by the attackers, but nothing has been done,” he said.

He also claimed that distress calls to security agencies during attacks often went unanswered, leaving residents to fend for themselves.

The latest account comes amid growing concerns over persistent incidents of banditry, kidnappings and attacks on farming communities in parts of Southern Kaduna, where residents have continued to call for urgent government intervention to address the security challenges.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Kaduna State Police Command proved abortive, as the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, did not respond to several phone calls and text messages sent to his mobile phone as of the time of filing this report.