Bandits on Saturday reportedly killed no fewer than nine farmers in Kakangi village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A community leader, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told the Peoples Gazette that the bandits attacked the community at about 2:00 p.m. after a farmer allegedly stabbed one of the assailants during an attempted robbery on his farm.

“The bandits stopped him and wanted to collect his motorcycle, and he refused at the farm. From there, they started fighting while bandits macheted the farmer with an axe,” he said. 

He said the farmer stabbed one of the bandits in the stomach and killed him, while another escaped and alerted other members of the gang, who later launched a revenge attack.

“So the farmer killed the other one and left for the hospital for treatment. The one that ran away informed other bandits, then they began killing farmers at their various farms,” the source said.

According to the community leader, the bandits opened fire on farmers working on their farms.

“Nine dead bodies were discovered, but only the names of the six were known for now,” he added.

He stated that three other farmers could not be recognised.

The identified victims, according to him, are Habibu Danko, Zaharaddin Musa Gumu, Maibaka Mayana, Umar Maibaka, Yusufu Dankatakaki and Shaf’iu Kagadama.

When contacted, Ishaq Kasai, a security analyst from the area, confirmed the attack on Saturday night by telephone.

Mr Kasai noted a need to reassess the current non-kinetic strategy for addressing armed banditry in the area. 

“The approach should be revisited and guided by a clear framework that incorporates disarmament, rehabilitation or compensation mechanisms with appropriate and genuine reconciliation efforts,” he said. 

Mr Kasai told The Gazette that where such measures prove ineffective or unfeasible, a decisive kinetic approach may remain the most viable option for confronting the security challenges and restoring lasting peace.

Mansir Hassan, the police spokesperson, did not immediately respond to calls and a text message seeking comment.