A military personnel was killed and a housewife and her two children abducted at Milgoma opposite Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika Zaria, Kaduna State.
The incident happened around 9pm on Monday, according to residents.
The soldier died at an undisclosed hospital following the injuries sustained in a gun duel with the bandits.
A security source said the bandits, numbering about 30, armed with weapons shot sporadically as they invaded the community.
He said despite the swift arrival of joint personnel of Kaduna State Vigilance Service, military and police to the scene, the assailants refused to flee, instead they engaged them in a gun fight leading to the death of the soldier.
However, the spokesperson of the Depot Nigeria Army Zaria, Lt. Abah, said he has not received the information on the death of the soldier.