“In Four Months, We Have Paid Over N1bn, 200 Of Us Kidnapped, 13 Killed” – Kaduna Community

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

“N300m was paid to rescue one of us, a CBN Director”

A case has been made for the establishment of military presence in some vulnerable and unmanned places in parts of Kaduna State.

The National President of Ruruma Community in Kauru Local Council, Kaduna South, Daniel Dallah Peace,  who made the appeal on Sunday November 24, 2024, noted that  such a  development will go a long way in stemming the incessant cases of kidnappings for ransom, and killings of innocent locals.

In a statement, Peace specifically called for the establishment of a Military Formation in Kwassam area, to checkmate the activities of terrorists, abductors and other criminal elements who have been making life extremely difficult for the  people.

The presence of a Military Formation ,according to him, will make for easy and prompt intervention during emergency.

He decried the high level and incessant abductions and killings being perpetrated  by bandits due to the absence of a rapid response security formations within the vicinity.

“The Military formation in Kwassam will enable the communities that have been displaced to return to their ancestral homes where they have their farms and farm produce .

“Currently, our Traditional Leader, Alhaji. Dauda Abdulsalam, the Pugom of Kumana, for some years, has not been at home because of the attempt made on his life by the bandits.

One of our own ,a CBN Director ,was once abducted in the area and N300 million was paid as ransom for his release”, the Community leader stated .

He insisted that such military presence will bolster the confidence ,of the people, as well as enthrone a regime of normalcy within the vicinity of all the vulnerable communities most of which have been routed by bandits

The National President lamented that  so far, the communities within the area have paid cumulatively over N1 billion as ransoms to bandits and other criminal elements .

Unfortunately, in addition to the large amount paid as ransom, the communities have equally lost over 13 people ,with over 200 taken captive within the last four months.

He expressed concern over the repeated failure of the Chairman  of Kauru  Local Government ,to avail the military authorities accurate information on the vulnerable situation of the communities within the Kumana Chiefdom

” Communities like Fagan rawa ,Kaibi ,Kusheka ,Fadan ,Ruruma ,Rafin rimi ,Kitimi ,Kakude and Kiwollo ,have all been affected by the kidnappings and killings while many residents have relocated to neighbouring communities out of fear of being abducted  or killed, Peace noted .

Further speaking, the President General. regretted that the incessant cases of kidnappings and killings have also impacted negatively on the livelihood of the people as many have been forced to abandon their farms.

He noted that the situation has, in turn, resulted in poverty and hunger since the people’s means of survival- farming -has been severely disrupted by the activities of banditry elements.

To underscore their seriousness, he expressed the readiness of the communities to  donate their houses and other facilities needed in the establishment of a military formation in the area.