Armed bandits have abducted six individuals from Hayin Gizo, a quiet suburb of Garun Kurama in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, during a terrifying night raid on Sunday.

According to local sources, the kidnappers invaded the community around 1:30 a.m., wielding dangerous weapons in an operation that continued until approximately 3:00 a.m.

"The kidnappers took six able-bodied men and one woman. The woman was later released along the way due to her frail health condition," a community source revealed to reporters.

Among those abducted were two Igbo traders who operate businesses within the community. The remaining victims are reportedly local peasant farmers who struggle to make ends meet.

Community members have issued an urgent appeal to security agencies and well-meaning individuals to intervene promptly to secure the safe return of the captives. They emphasized that the victims are primarily subsistence farmers living "hand-to-mouth," and their families cannot afford to pay ransom demands.

This incident adds to a troubling pattern of insecurity in the region. Lere Local Government Area, alongside Kauru, Kachia, Zango Kataf, and Jema'a, has experienced a significant surge in kidnappings and attacks by unknown gunmen in recent months.

The increasing frequency of such attacks has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in southern Kaduna communities, with residents calling for enhanced security measures to protect vulnerable rural populations.

As of the time of this report, neither the Kaduna State Government nor security agencies have issued official statements regarding the incident or rescue efforts.