Attacks, Kidnappings Continue In Kaduna

It is now worrisome that with the mention of Kaduna State insecurity readily comes to mind. Within two weeks, no fewer than 350 people including students and teachers have been kidnapped at various times and locations.

The latest being the attack at Buda community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where 61 persons were kidnapped. This is coming after over 280 students and teachers were kidnapped at Kuriga, following the kidnap of about 16 people in Goni Gora, all in the same Chikun local  government. The bandits usually come in large numbers with sophisticated weapons shooting sporadically before taking their victims.

Speaking on these series of unabated attacks and kidnap of innocent people, Mr Dauda Kajuru who witnessed the kidnap of the 61 people in Buda, but narrowly escaped said, “The kidnappers stormed the community in large numbers and started shooting sporadically.

“What happened during the abductions was terrifying. The bandits came intending to abduct scores of people that would have outnumbered that of school pupils in Kuriga Village of Chikun Local Government Area, but the swift response of soldiers who were not more than 2km away from Kajuru helped to curtail the number.

“My siblings were part of those abducted yesterday and based on the information available as of this morning, the bandits with their victims are yet to get to their destination,” he said.

He lamented that since the removal of an Army Commander, popularly known as (Tega), banditry activities have resumed in full force around the Kajuru Local Government Villages.

”I will tell you in confidence that when Commander Tega was around, their activities stopped, and one could go for occasions without any fear of being kidnapped because he knows their terrain and the mode of their operations.”

Another resident, Lawal Abdullahi, who escaped the attack but his wife was among the victims,  also confirmed 61 people were abducted. He said men, women, and children, including a nursing mother of two weeks, were among the victims.

“I have been in a state of trauma since the abduction, We are appealing to the government to take action and ensure our loved ones return immediately,” he said.

Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said that with the assurance of National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, alongside orher security agencies, the kidnapped students of LEA Primary school Kuriga, Chikun local government area will all be rescued unhurt.