At least nine people have been abducted and one girl killed after suspected bandits ambushed a vehicle carrying schoolchildren in Kaduna State.
The attack took place on Sunday morning shortly after the vehicle departed Akwando village en route to Kachia.
Manasseh Samuel of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association said the vehicle, carrying about 25 passengers, was stopped by armed men about three kilometres from the village.
He said the gunmen opened fire, triggering panic as children attempted to escape. Fifteen passengers reportedly fled into surrounding bushland and later reached nearby communities.
A girl identified as Purity Babangida died during the confusion after being struck by a moving vehicle while trying to escape.
Nine others, including students and the driver, were taken away by the attackers.
Former aide Reuben Buhari also confirmed the incident, saying the ambush occurred minutes into the journey despite efforts by the driver to evade the assailants.
The Kaduna State Police Command has yet to comment on the attack, as spokesperson Mansir Hassan did not respond to enquiries.
Search efforts and further details on the victims’ whereabouts were not immediately available at the time of reporting.
