Kaduna State — Fear and tension spread across Tudun Wadan Rido in Chikun Local Government Area on Tuesday night after armed bandits launched a violent assault that left two residents dead and several others injured. The attack, which happened shortly after nightfall, has renewed concerns about the rising spate of insecurity affecting rural communities in Kaduna.
Residents told Ogele News that the attackers arrived in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately as people ran to safety. The sounds of gunfire echoed through the village, forcing families to hide indoors while others tried to escape to nearby settlements. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many unsure of the fate of their loved ones until the shooting subsided.
Local volunteers and neighbours were the first to respond, rushing the wounded to a nearby hospital after the bandits fled the area. Community members said the quick reaction of locals helped prevent a higher death toll, but they remain deeply unsettled by the frequency of such attacks.
A resident who spoke under anonymity described the fear that gripped the community. “They came suddenly and started shooting everywhere. People were running in all directions. We are lucky more people were not killed,” he said. “This is not the first time we’ve seen this kind of attack. We don’t know when it will end.”
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had not released an official statement on the incident. However, residents say the community has notified law enforcement agencies and is awaiting reinforcement and investigation.
Kaduna State has long struggled with persistent security challenges, particularly in Chikun, Birnin Gwari and surrounding LGAs where bandit attacks, kidnappings and raids on rural settlements have continued despite security operations. Analysts say these communities remain vulnerable due to their proximity to forested areas often used as hideouts by criminal groups.
The latest attack comes amid heightened anxiety over several recent abductions in the state. Last week, the Catholic Diocese of Zaria confirmed the abduction of Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ezema from his residence at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rumi. The priest was reportedly taken by unknown assailants late at night, prompting outcry from parishioners and increased concerns about the safety of religious leaders in the region.
Community leaders in Tudun Wadan Rido are calling on the Kaduna State Government and federal security agencies to intensify operations in rural areas, noting that residents now live in constant fear of night raids. Many villagers say the ongoing attacks have disrupted farming, restricted movement and put families under psychological strain.
Civil society organizations have long warned that unresolved security issues in Kaduna could worsen humanitarian and economic challenges if local communities continue to face repeated violence. They have urged authorities to adopt more intelligence-led strategies, strengthen early warning systems and provide better support to affected communities.
As families in Tudun Wadan Rido mourn their loved ones and pray for the recovery of the injured, the broader question remains: how long will rural settlements remain vulnerable despite ongoing security deployments? For many residents, Tuesday night’s attack is another painful reminder of an insecurity crisis that demands urgent and sustained attention.
