Tragedy struck in Goska community, Kaninkon Ward of Jama’a Local Government Area, Kaduna State, after suspected Fulani herdsmen allegedly cut off the hand of a 15-year-old girl, Endurance Sabon, following her family’s refusal to hand her over in marriage.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the brutal attack occurred on Friday after the assailants reportedly stalked the victim and her family from their farm to a secluded area in the bush.
A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the attackers had earlier approached Endurance’s mother while she was working on the family farm around 10am, demanding that the teenager be given to one of them as a wife.
“They kept praising her beauty and insisted she must marry one of them. My mother thought they were joking at first, but they kept calling the girl by name and speaking in their dialect,” the source said.
According to the account, after the family concluded farm work later in the day, Endurance, her mother and other relatives waited for a commercial motorcyclist to take them home around 6:30pm, unaware that the men had been trailing them through the bush.
“They followed them secretly and laid an ambush near the farm. When they suddenly rushed at them, the older women fell.
“They shone a torchlight on one woman and realised she was not the girl they wanted. They searched again, found Endurance and dragged her into the forest,” the source added.
It was in the forest that the attackers reportedly inflicted severe injuries on the teenager, cutting off her hand before fleeing the scene.
Endurance was initially rushed to the General Hospital in Kafanchan and later referred to Joyce Hospital due to the severity of her injuries.
She has since been referred to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for advanced medical care.
The family revealed that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack, out of an initial group of about nine men.
“Five persons were arrested. My mother knows them very well; their houses are close to the farm,” the family member said.
The family has called on the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to ensure the suspects are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, while also appealing for financial assistance to cover the victim’s medical expenses.
“We need urgent help. The government should assist with her treatment and address the worsening insecurity in our community.
“Those arrested should not be released so that justice can be served and this will deter others,” the source pleaded.
The incident has heightened fear and tension in Goska community, where residents say attacks linked to banditry and forced marriages remain a major threat.
The family also disclosed that a relative was killed earlier this year in a separate attack allegedly carried out by herdsmen, with his mutilated body later discovered.
Residents are now urging authorities to take decisive steps to restore security and protect vulnerable communities in the area.
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