Armed bandits fatally shot three persons and abducted an unspecified number of people in Southern Kaduna region, residents told Peoples Gazette.

The incident occured Wednesday night at Kachia town in Kachia Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

Tanko Makeri, a resident told The Gazette Thursday evening that the marauding gunmen carried out the attack in Kachia market and its neighborhood.

“We heard multiple gunshots last night around 9:00 p.m. within the main market axis on Wednesday night.

“The bandits killed at least three persons and injured many during the attack as they kidnapped an unspecified number of people.

“There are conflicting figures of the number of persons kidnapped during the attack,” Mr Makeri said. 

Mr Makeri further disclosed that the brigands operated for several hours before they whisked away their victims to an unknown location after the intervention of security operatives.

Rachael Mark, a resident, told The Gazette that at least 20 persons were kidnapped during the attack adding that the figures could be more.

Ms Mark revealed that one person was killed while five others sustained gunshot wounds during the attack along Agunu axis.

The police command spokesman, Mohammed Jalige, when contacted by phone Thursday confirmed the incident to The Gazette.

“Yes the command is aware of the attack but I cannot make any comments for now until the Area Commander and DPO brief me. We are going to issue a statement” the police spokesman said.

Bandits have continued to carry out attacks around Kachia despite its proximity to a military base and training centre.

The Gazette had in March reported how armed bandits abducted eight members of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) along Kachia road.

The bandits abducted their victims between Doka and Makyali village.

In April, armed bandits killed nine commuters and abducted an unspecified number of people along Kachia road.