Terrorists struck in Kaduna State, kidnapping no fewer than seven persons in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, sparking a large-scale protest by residents over the rising wave of abductions in the area.

The latest attack comes barely two days after bandits reportedly abducted a Catholic priest and 10 other persons, while killing three victims in Kajuru community.

On Monday, residents of Danhonu II community in New Millennium City trooped out in large numbers to protest at the Millennium City Divisional Police Headquarters, demanding urgent security intervention to stem the spate of kidnappings.

The protesters blocked major access roads leading to the police station, chanting slogans and waving fresh tree branches as they decried what they described as persistent attacks on their community.

According to residents, the bandits struck at about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday and operated into the early hours of Monday, abducting seven persons from two families.

Those kidnapped were identified as Malam Yahaya Yusuf, his wife, Latifat Yusuf, and their two sons, Abdulgafar and Abdulqudus. Also abducted were Mrs Abdulrazak Jimoh and two of her children.

Residents said the latest abduction has brought the total number of kidnap incidents in the small community to 11 within the last few months.

They alleged that the attacks have largely targeted non-indigenes residing in the area, raising suspicions of possible informants within the community. The protesters, therefore, called on security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation and “fish out collaborators aiding the criminals.”

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Chairman of the Danhonu II Landlords Association, Akoh Salifu, said residents could no longer live in peace.

“We are here because we can no longer live in peace. The pressure from repeated kidnapping incidents has become unbearable for us,” he said.

Salifu added that some youths attempted to trail the kidnappers into the bush following Sunday night’s attack but were unable to catch up with them.

“As law-abiding citizens, we decided to come to the police to formally register our grievances and cry out for urgent intervention to save our community,” he said.

When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident, saying the police received a distress call late Sunday night and immediately deployed personnel to the area, with support from the military.

However, he said the poor road network and difficult terrain delayed the response, allowing the bandits to escape with the victims despite an exchange of gunfire