Former Kaduna Council Chairman Killed in Bandit Ambush on Funeral Convoy
The lifeless body of Hon. Ibrahim Gajere, former Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area in Kaduna State, has been discovered following a brutal attack by suspected bandits on a burial convoy in the Dogon Noma community, Maro Ward. The tragic incident occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026, when armed assailants targeted a convoy of vehicles returning from a funeral attended by top local government officials.
Details of the Attack and Aftermath
The armed bandits ambushed the convoy of the serving chairman, Hon. Dauda Madaki, setting vehicles ablaze in a violent assault. While security operatives successfully rescued the sitting chairman, the former chairman was declared missing immediately after the attack. Community members launched an immediate search operation for Gajere and other victims, with his body ultimately found on Wednesday afternoon, February 18, in the surrounding bush area.
This devastating attack has plunged Kajuru and neighboring communities into deep mourning. Residents are expressing heightened fear for their safety, particularly after another assault nearby on the same day reportedly left two people dead. The cumulative violence has created an atmosphere of terror and uncertainty throughout the region.
Community Leaders Demand Security Reforms
Reacting to the tragedy, community leader Gambo Suleiman Maro called for urgent and decisive security reforms. Maro described the incident as a painful reflection of deep security gaps in the area and a wake-up call for authorities at both state and federal levels.
"This tragedy must not become just another headline. It exposes serious lapses in planning, coordination, and risk assessment, especially when high-profile officials move through volatile communities," Maro stated emphatically.
He stressed that Kajuru LGA has faced recurring security challenges and that any official movement into high-risk zones should be preceded by mandatory intelligence clearance and structured security deployment. Maro further questioned the apparent absence of a clear evacuation and contingency plan, noting that emergency response protocols should be firmly established before such movements take place.
Comprehensive Recommendations for Security Improvement
The community leader presented several specific recommendations to prevent future tragedies:
- Mandatory security clearance for official visits to high-risk areas
- A strengthened and permanent security presence in flashpoint communities such as Maro Ward
- Clear emergency communication and rapid-response systems for convoys
- Improved civil-military coordination between local authorities and security agencies
- Establishment of community-based early warning networks involving traditional and grassroots organizations
Maro urged the administration of Governor Uba Sani to treat this incident as a turning point for structural reform in rural security management. "Kajuru's citizens deserve protection grounded in planning, coordination, and accountability. The time for reactive statements has passed. What is needed now is decisive, measurable action," he asserted.
Broader Implications for Kaduna State Security
The attack has intensified calls for comprehensive strategies to address insecurity in rural communities across Kaduna State. Community leaders are appealing to security agencies to intensify operations in the Kajuru axis to prevent further bloodshed, describing the current situation as devastating and unsustainable. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges facing many rural areas in northern Nigeria and underscores the need for more proactive, intelligence-driven approaches to protecting vulnerable communities.
