Bandits have killed at least four people and abducted several others in renewed attacks on communities in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, between Tuesday and Thursday.

Local sources confirmed that the latest incident occurred on Thursday evening when gunmen ambushed a commercial vehicle conveying passengers from Awon village to Kachia town.

The attackers reportedly shot dead the driver, identified as Ibrahim Makama, and a recent National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) graduate, Jonathan Jeremiah. Several passengers were abducted, while others managed to escape.

A resident of Kachia town, Sebastian Yakubu, told reporters that the Thursday ambush was the third violent attack in the area within a week.

“On Tuesday, they killed one of our community farmers in Awon village and also kidnapped another person from the Ankwa area. Despite collecting ransom, they still killed him,” Yakubu said.

He further revealed that a retired security officer abducted over two months ago remains in captivity, while many residents are too afraid to speak out. He alleged that political interference and restrictions on the press have led to many of the killings and kidnappings going underreported.

The Kaduna State Government and security agencies have yet to officially comment on the latest incident.

Southern Kaduna has remained a hotspot of banditry and violent attacks in recent years, with communities repeatedly calling for stronger government intervention and security presence.