Suspected bandits blocked a Sharon vehicle carrying commuters from Zaria to Dutsinma along the Wawal Kaza–Dayi road in Kankara Local Government Area, Katsina State. The gunmen forced several passengers into the bush. Among those abducted were two 300‑level female students of Federal University Dutsin‑Ma, identified as Onwe Esther Chiamaka and Noah Patience, both from the Department of Sociology. Also taken was a male student, Goza Darios Doorchuji, of the Library Science Department. Security forces were promptly mobilised after receiving a distress call. The area was cordoned off, and during the operation, Doorchuji was rescued unhurt. As of the time of reporting, efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the two female students and to apprehend the perpetrators.
16 Sept 2025 · Wawal Kaza–Dayi, Kankara, Katsina
Deaths
0
Injured
0
Total casualties
0
Perpetrators
Bandits
Response
Security forces were promptly mobilised after receiving a distress call. The area was cordoned off, and during the operation, one of the abducted students, Goza Darios Doorchuji, was rescued unhurt. Efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the two female students and to apprehend the perpetrators.
Displacement
0
Socioeconomic drivers
Banditry-for-ransom economy, failed peace negotiations
Trajectory
The abduction occurred despite ongoing peace deals and assurances by authorities aimed at ending banditry in Katsina State. The incident highlighted the fragility of the peace process, as bandits continued to strike even in areas where agreements had been reached. The successful rescue of one student demonstrated the responsiveness of security forces, but the continued captivity of the two female students underscored the persistent challenge of securing the release of abductees. The attack also followed a pattern of highway abductions in Kankara LGA, which had seen similar incidents throughout 2025.
Cycle notes
The abduction on the Wawal Kaza–Dayi road directly echoed the 11 December 2020 Kankara school abduction (344 students) and the August 2025 abduction of travellers on the Kankara‑Funtua road – all part of a sustained pattern of highway kidnappings in Katsina State despite ongoing peace negotiations. The targeting of university students mirrored the 20 April 2021 Greenfield University kidnapping in Kaduna and the 16 September 2025 abduction of Federal University Dutsin‑Ma students itself, reflecting a pattern of bandits exploiting the vulnerability of students travelling between cities. The timing – during an active peace deal – echoed the August 2025 bandit attacks in Katsina that violated a ceasefire agreement and the 30 September 2025 Dutsinma peace deal, where bandits continued to operate despite local agreements. The successful rescue of one student by security forces mirrored the 11 July 2021 Kajuru Emir abduction, where a swift military response secured the release of the monarch.
Pattern
Banditry despite peace deals
Sources
- https://zagazola.org/index.php/breaking-news/despite-peace-deal-Bandits-strike-again-abduct-passengers-including-student-in-katsina
- https://independent.ng/bandits-kidnap-passengers-students-amid-ongoing-katsina-peace-deal/
- https://dailypost.ng/2025/09/17/bandits-abduct-two-female-students-others-on-katsina-highway/
Related — Kidnapping
Armed Bandits attacked Babanna community in Borgu LGA, Niger. A Catholic pastor was kidnapped during the raid. Police reportedly launched a rescue operation.
Suspected Bandits attacked Tofa community in Bungudu LGA, Zamfara State. Twenty‑five women and girls were abducted during the raid.
At approximately 6 pm on Saturday, armed bandits ambushed a convoy of vehicles returning to Gusau, Zamfara State, from a wedding in Sokoto State. The convoy included a Toyota coaster bus belonging to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), a Gusau Local Government Secretariat staff vehicle, and two other private vehicles. The vehicles were attacked along the Tureta-Bakura road in Sokoto State, specifically near Dogon Awo in Tureta LGA. One of the vehicles had developed a fault at Tureta and was repaired by a mechanic after about 40 minutes, which may have delayed the convoy and made it a target. The bandits shot into the first vehicle to force the convoy to stop, then abducted over 50 passengers. More than 20 people managed to escape during the attack and fled into the bush; some sustained injuries. The abductors initially held 30 victims, though this number later fluctuated in reports (with some sources indicating 29 or 40). The victims were members of the Zamfara GSM Union of Communication, who are telephone and accessories marketers at the popular Bebeji Plaza in Gusau. The bandits contacted the union and demanded a ransom of ₦145 million (₦5 million per victim). All victims were eventually released after a ransom was paid, though official sources did not confirm the payment.