Two young girls abducted from Janjala community in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have been killed by armed bandits, despite their families raising and paying millions of naira in ransom to secure their release.
The victims, Abida and Ummi, were among more than a dozen residents kidnapped on March 1, 2026, when gunmen attacked the rural community.
A local vigilante member, his wife, and several others were also taken during the assault, leaving families traumatised and fearful.
In the weeks following the abduction, the girls’ families mobilised to meet the kidnappers’ demands.
Initially asked for ₦14 million, the families pooled resources, sold personal belongings, and eventually raised ₦13 million, delivering the ransom on April 4 near Hayin Dam forest in neighbouring Kachia Local Government Area.
Some female captives were released following the payment, offering brief relief.
Tragically, that relief turned to horror. Local sources reported that Abida and Ummi were shot after resisting attempts by the bandits to sexually assault them.
“They refused to give in, and the leader ordered that they be shot,” said a source familiar with the incident, describing the killings as both brutal and senseless.
The attackers reportedly went on to demand the remaining ₦1 million balance, as well as food supplies, before considering the release of the male captives still held.
Security officials have confirmed the deaths of the two girls, though details remain limited.
A community leader recounted the devastating news: “It was this afternoon that a relative called to tell us that two of the girls had been killed.”
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The tragedy has intensified fears in Kaduna State, where rural communities continue to suffer from persistent bandit attacks.
For the families of Abida and Ummi, the loss is not just a statistic, it is a painful reminder of the human cost of insecurity and a call for justice.
Relatives of the victims have publicly called for urgent intervention from authorities to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure accountability.
Advocates argue that without swift action, rural communities remain at grave risk from armed criminal gangs.
