Gunmen struck last night in Hayin Gada, Arak 1, within the Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing Kefas Habila Averik, the brother of Rachel Averik, the Special Assistant on Political Affairs to the Governor of Kaduna State.
Reports indicate that the assailants invaded the house, firing sporadically and calling for Kefas, 33years, who was with his wife, Joy, and their child in the room, to open the door.
Residents reported that when he refused to comply, the gunmen destroyed a window, entered the room, and shot him in the head.
A local resident mentioned that the incident occurred around midnight on 31 December 2025.
“This incident took place this morning. Unknown gunmen entered the house while people were asleep and went straight to Kefas Habila Averik’s residence and shot him.
“He was inside the room with his wife and child when they arrived. They demanded he open the door, but he refused. They broke through the window, shot him, and then fled,” he said.
The Special Assistant on Political Affairs to the Governor of Kaduna State, Rachel Averik, who is a sister to the deceased confirmed the incident.
“I have been informed of this sad and unfortunate event. I was told he had instructed his wife to take their child into the bathroom and hide when the gunmen attempted to force their way into the apartment. They were shining torches for a considerable time. Kefas was shouting, but nobody could come out because the gunmen were shooting,” Rachel stated.
The police in Kaduna have announced that they are investigating the matter.
The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, told our reporter that he would conduct further inquiries into the incident and provide more details in due course.
Exactly 12 months ago, it was reported how the Special Assistant on Political Affairs to the Governor of Kaduna State, Hon. Rachael Averik, escaped an assassination attempt in Southern Kaduna.
The attack occurred on Thursday, January 2, 2025, between Tsauni Majidadi and Gani villages in Sanga local government area of Kaduna State when the governor’s aide was on her way to Gwantu after visiting Arak Chiefdom for a condolence visit and commissioning of a hospital built by Alhaji Muhammad Umar Numbu.
