Gunmen have reportedly abducted several residents across multiple communities in Kajuru and Kauru local government areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State, following coordinated attacks late Thursday.

According to reports by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the armed assailants stormed Agwallan Centre, Janwuriya, and Afogo villages in Kajuru LGA, targeting residents returning from their farms. An unspecified number of people were abducted in the process.

Zagazola reported that the attackers were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons and moved through the villages firing sporadically to disperse locals.

Hours later, another group of gunmen allegedly invaded Kallah and Aokpeshura villages in the same local government, where more residents — including women and children — were taken away.

In Kallah village, residents identified as Simon Audi (29), Beuty Audu (23), and Holliness Simon, a six-month-old baby, were among those abducted.

Community sources told Zagazola that Enoch Simon (40) was later rescued, while Anthony Saidu (32) and Jenecy Obasanjo (20) sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital in Kujama for treatment.

A repentant bandit identified as Babban Gayya was said to have orchestrated the attacks in retaliation for the killing of some of his men by military operatives.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Kauru LGA, gunmen invaded Kuyan Bana village, moving from house to house and abducting an unconfirmed number of residents.

The assault reportedly occurred around the same time as the Kajuru attacks. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived shooting indiscriminately, sending villagers into panic before proceeding with the abductions.

Security sources said troops were later deployed to the affected areas, cordoning off the surrounding forests and launching a search-and-rescue operation to track down the attackers and free the captives.

When contacted, Mansir Hassan, spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, did not respond to TheCable’s inquiry for comments as of press time.

There was mild drama at the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja on Friday as police operatives re-arrested Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and human rights activist, shortly after he was granted bail.

Sowore, alongside several others including Aloy Ejimakor — a disengaged counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) — had earlier secured bail from the court following their arrest during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest held in Abuja on Thursday.

Other defendants granted bail were Emmanuel Kanu, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.

The magistrate, Abubakar Umar Sai’id, ordered that each of the defendants produce two sureties and a bond of ₦500,000, in addition to verified national identification numbers (NIN), three-year tax clearance certificates, and international passports.

However, shortly after the ruling, chaos broke out within the court premises as a detachment of police officers reportedly swooped on Sowore, manhandled him, and whisked him away in a waiting van.

According to his counsel, Tope Temokun, the officers, led by CSP Iliyasu of the State Command CID’s Anti-Vice Section, “descended violently” on the activist in what he described as an “abduction carried out in broad daylight.”

“After the court freely and honorably granted bail to Omoyele Sowore on liberal terms, the police invaded the court premises in a display of raw impunity and disdain for the rule of law,” Temokun said.

He added that in the scuffle, he and several others were assaulted, sustaining injuries in the process. “Let it be known that Sowore was not taken to prison,” he stressed, alleging that the police had no legal justification for taking his client to an undisclosed location.

As of the time of filing this report, police authorities have yet to release an official statement on the development.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a major shake-up in the leadership of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, relieving all current service chiefs of their duties and appointing General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

The President also approved the appointment of Major-General W. Shaibu as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff (CAS), and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).

The Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye, however, retains his position.

The development was made public through a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, who explained that the changes form part of the President’s efforts to strengthen the national security architecture and ensure improved synergy among the armed services.

“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses his most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement read in part.

“The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them, to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

According to the statement, all appointments take immediate effect.

This marks the second major military leadership reshuffle since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. His administration has repeatedly emphasised the need for a responsive and adaptive defence system, particularly in light of evolving security challenges across the country, including terrorism, banditry, oil theft, and insurgency.

General Olufemi Oluyede, the new Chief of Defence Staff, is regarded within military circles as a seasoned strategist with extensive operational experience both within and outside Nigeria. He previously commanded several divisions and participated in multinational peacekeeping missions.

The outgoing CDS, General Christopher Musa, was appointed in June 2023 and had overseen various counterinsurgency operations during his tenure.

Military and political observers believe the latest change signals a renewed push by the Tinubu administration to reposition the armed forces for efficiency and accountability.

Meanwhile, congratulatory messages have begun pouring in from senior officers and defence analysts, who described the reshuffle as a strategic step toward consolidating national security objectives.

All newly appointed service chiefs are expected to assume office immediately following the formal handover ceremonies scheduled to hold at Defence Headquarters, Abuja.