Suspected bandits have attacked a vehicle conveying schoolchildren from Akwando village to Kachia, the headquarters of Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting nine persons, including six children and the driver, and leaving one girl dead.
Details of the Attack
The Public Relations Officer of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA), Manasseh Samuel, said the attack occurred at about 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026, less than 10 minutes after the vehicle departed Akwando for Kachia, where the children were expected to resume school following the reopening of schools.
He stated that about 25 passengers, including the driver, were traveling in an open vehicle when the attackers blocked the road about three kilometers from Akwando village.
Chaos and Escape
According to Samuel, the attackers opened fire, forcing the children to flee in different directions. Some managed to jump down and ran into nearby villages like Awon, while others returned to Akwando. He added that 15 passengers escaped by jumping from the vehicle and trekking through the bush for several hours before reaching safety in neighboring communities.
A young girl, Purity Babangida, died during the chaos while attempting to escape. She was hit by a moving vehicle as everyone was running. It was not a direct attack on her, but she died in the confusion.
Victims and Abductees
Samuel confirmed that nine persons were taken away by the attackers to an unknown destination, with no contact established as of the time of filing this report. He gave the names of those abducted as Augustina Muntari (SS2, GSS Gumel), Happy Muntari (JS2, GSS Gumel), Favour Tanimu (JS2, GSS Kachia), Patience Joseph (JS2, GSS Kachia), Peace Irimiya and Bishara Irimiya (both of St. John’s School, Kachia), the driver, Irimiya Galadima, as well as Fatu Danladi and Laraba Caleb.
Confirmation by Former Media Adviser
Former media adviser to late Kaduna state governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Reuben Buhari, confirmed the attack on his Facebook page. He said the vehicle was intercepted shortly after leaving Akwando village. Despite efforts by the driver to escape, the attackers overpowered them and abducted nine children.
Buhari stated, “Because most schools have resumed, children from Akwando village, Kachia LGA, were packed into a vehicle on Sunday, 26/04/2026, and being taken to Kachia so they could resume at their respective schools. Less than 10 minutes’ drive, armed bandits ambushed them on the road. Despite the driver’s efforts to escape, these schoolchildren were kidnapped. One girl, Purity Babangida, died while trying to escape. 15 students escaped after jumping from the truck and trekked for hours through the bush before reaching some villages that include Awon. Let’s pray for these schoolchildren.”
