Tragedy struck Akwando village in the Kachia Local Government Area on Sunday as armed bandits intercepted a vehicle transporting female students, resulting in one fatality and the abduction of nine individuals.

The victims, primarily secondary school students, were traveling from Akwando to the town of Kachia to resume classes on Monday morning. According to local sources, the ambush occurred less than ten minutes into their journey.

Casualties and Abductions

During the assault, a student identified as Purity Babangida was tragically killed while attempting to flee the scene.

The attackers successfully abducted eight passengers and the vehicle's driver. The identified victims include:

• Augustina Muntari (SS2, GSS Gumel)

• Happy Muntari (JS2, GSS Gumel)

• Favour Tanimu (JS2, GSS Kachia)

• Patience Joseph (JS2, GSS Kachia)

• Peace Irimiya (St. John’s School, Kachia)

• Bishara Irimiya (St. John’s School, Kachia)

• Irimiya Galadima (Driver)

• Fatu Danladi (Adult)

• Laraba Caleb (Adult)

Escape and Survival

Reports indicate that approximately 15 other students managed to survive the encounter by jumping from the moving truck. The survivors reportedly trekked through the bush for several hours under cover of darkness before reaching the safety of neighboring villages.

Official Response Pending

Mr. Reuben Buhari, a resident of the area who confirmed the details of the attack, expressed the community's distress over the recurring insecurity in the region.

As of the time of reporting, neither the Kaduna State Government nor the State Police Command has issued an official statement regarding the kidnapping or the current status of the search and rescue operations.

Note: This incident underscores the escalating security challenges facing educational transit in rural Kaduna, as families call for increased protection for students traveling between remote villages and urban centers.