By MOHAMMED DANBABA
Southern Kaduna was thrown into renewed panic after armed men abducted a Baptist Church pastor and his three daughters in a late-night raid that has further exposed the worsening insecurity gripping the region.
The victims, identified as Pastor Daniel Bagama and his three daughters, were taken from their residence in Tudun Bussa village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in an attack that residents say followed a familiar and terrifying pattern.
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Gunmen Strike at Night, Fire Shots Before Abduction
The abduction occurred around 11pm on Sunday, January 18, 2026, when the attackers stormed Tudun Bussa village under the cover of darkness.
According to community accounts, the gunmen fired sporadically to instil fear and force residents indoors before heading straight to the pastor’s home. Within minutes, Pastor Bagama and his daughters were seized and whisked away to an unknown destination.
By dawn, the quiet farming community had been plunged into shock, with residents fearing the worst as kidnappings continue to spread unchecked across Southern Kaduna.
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Baptist Conference, CAN Confirm Abduction
The incident was formally confirmed by the Conference President of the Kaduna Baptist Conference, Rev. Ishaya Adamu Jangado, in a letter circulated to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“I write to inform you that bandits have abducted a Baptist Church Pastor, Pastor Daniel Bagama, and his three daughters at Tudun Bussa village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” the letter stated.
The Kaduna State Chairman of CAN, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji Bawa, also confirmed the abduction, describing it as another painful reminder of the vulnerability of rural communities and religious leaders in the region.
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Fresh Kidnappings Follow Mass Abduction of Worshippers
The attack comes barely days after the reported abduction of 177 Christian worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, also in Kaduna State, raising alarm over what many residents describe as a relentless wave of coordinated attacks.
In another incident, gunmen reportedly struck again in Kajuru Local Government Area, where four travellers were kidnapped along the Maro–Kajuru road.
A community source disclosed that the victims were returning from Maro Market on Friday evening when armed men intercepted their vehicle—a Peugeot Boxer with Kaduna registration number DKA 680 ZY—and forced them into the bush shortly after Kuturu Buzu, just kilometres from Kurmin Wali.
“The victims were on their way back from purchasing items when the bandits attacked and dragged them into the bush,” the source said.
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Fear Spreads as Communities Feel Abandoned
These repeated attacks have heightened anxiety across Kajuru, Chikun, and neighbouring local government areas, where residents say kidnappers now operate with alarming boldness.
Many communities complain of delayed or nonexistent security responses, leaving villagers to rely on prayers, vigilance groups, and luck.
When contacted for comments, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, did not respond to phone calls or text messages as of the time of filing this report.
Residents, however, insist that silence from authorities only worsens fear and emboldens criminals.
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Beyond Kaduna: Insecurity Spills Into Katsina
The insecurity is not limited to Kaduna alone. In Southern Maska, Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State, residents have also raised alarms over escalating attacks despite several reported peace agreements between local leaders and armed groups.
Affected communities include Unguwar Mailaya, Asharaha, Burma, Gobirawa, Gwangwari, Dan Tudu, Tudun Maje, Kurku, Ganwai, Yar Tasha, Gursudu, Batarawa, Gidan Alhaji Koshe, and several others.
Sources say these villages have suffered repeated incidents of killings, kidnappings, livestock theft, and forced levies, pushing many families to flee their homes.
“As recently as two nights ago, gunmen attempted to invade Unguwar Mailaya but were repelled by residents,” a source revealed. “They later moved to Kauran Fawa in Dandume Local Government Area, where eight people were reportedly killed.”
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‘They Call Us on the Phone’ – Residents Cry Out
Residents say one of the most disturbing developments is the ability of armed groups to call villagers directly, issuing threats and demanding payments commonly referred to as haraji.
“The bandits call people on the phone, threatening them and demanding money,” a resident said. “We don’t see enough security personnel here, and that is why they are bold.”
Community leaders argue that this level of access reflects a glaring absence of security presence and intelligence-driven operations in vulnerable rural areas.
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Calls for Urgent Action Grow Louder
As families of abducted victims wait anxiously for news, residents across Southern Kaduna and parts of Katsina are calling on federal and state authorities to act decisively.
They want immediate deployment of security forces, improved surveillance, and sustained operations to dismantle armed groups that have turned kidnappings into a routine enterprise.
For now, the abduction of Pastor Daniel Bagama and his three daughters stands as another grim symbol of a region caught between fear and hope—fear of what tomorrow may bring, and hope that decisive action will finally restore safety to their communities.
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