Residents of Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna were thrown into panic after terrorists reportedly kidnapped a Catholic catechist, his pregnant wife and about 30 other persons on Monday.

The parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kutaho, Linus Matthew Bobai, who confirmed the development to journalists, said most residents had fled to other villages.

“Before the incident, they called one of my parishioners and demanded ₦10 million, threatening to kidnap him if he failed to comply,” Mr Bobai said. “They claimed our people are into irrigation farming and ginger cultivation, and that means money.”

The cleric disclosed that the attackers abducted 16 persons from Kutaho, including a Catholic catechist, his pregnant wife and their baby, while another 16 persons were abducted from Kugir, bringing all the abducted victims to 32.

“More than 90 per cent of our people slept outside the community. Only a few of us remained behind to keep vigil. Our members cannot continue to run indefinitely,” he stated.

Mr Bobai explained that the bandits returned as threatened, launching a coordinated attack while he was away in Kaduna procuring textbooks for St. Joseph School, despite warnings issued to the community to remain vigilant.

“The Dakachi was almost killed. His head and arm were badly injured, and he had to be rushed to Kagarko for treatment,” Mr Bobai added.

Kaduna police spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, did not respond to a request for comment on the latest attack.

The incident happened days after armed terrorists kidnapped seven persons and kidnapped several others in Chikun and Kajuru LGAs, respectively, sparking a large-scale protest by residents over the rising wave of abductions.