Kaduna Residents Seek Urgent Intervention As Bandits Displace 39 Communities

Residents of Kauru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State have appealed for urgent government intervention following a wave of bandit attacks and kidnappings that have displaced about 39 communities.

Most of the displaced residents are said to have relocated to Zaria and Saminaka in search of safety, as insecurity continues to worsen in the area.

Speaking at a press conference on behalf of the affected communities, Rev. Musa Hassan Shadari said the attacks, which began in late 2025, have persisted into 2026, leaving a trail of deaths, abductions and destruction.

He listed some of the affected communities to include Unguwa Kunkun, Unguwa Dutsen Yelwa, Unguwa Samaila, Unguwa Bulus, Unguwa Pastor, Unguwa Haske, Unguwa Luku, Unguwa Randa, Unguwa Nasarawa and Unguwa Doka, among others.

“We have 39 communities that are affected. We are here to table our request to the government to help us, especially on the issue of security. We are facing serious challenges from kidnappers who are chasing us away from our homes,” he said.

Shadari noted that the attacks have disrupted religious and social life in the area, forcing the closure of more than 20 mosques and over 65 churches.

He added that the violence, which intensified between October and December 2025, has so far claimed more than 50 lives.

According to him, the communities have paid over N300 million as ransom to secure the release of kidnapped victims.

“More than 1,000 people have been kidnapped, and even now, about 17 are still in captivity. We have paid about N300 million as ransom,” he said.

He, however, expressed concern over what he described as inconsistent response from security agencies.

“They come when there is an attack, but they don’t stay. They come and go. That is the problem,” he said.

Shadari however, called on the Kaduna State Government to deploy security personnel on a permanent basis to the affected communities to restore peace and enable residents to return home.

Also speaking, a resident, Ibrahim Hore, said he paid N3.4 million in ransom after his three children were kidnapped by bandits.

Residents said the persistent attacks have disrupted livelihoods, worsened humanitarian conditions and heightened fear across the area, urging authorities to act swiftly to prevent further loss of lives.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command is yet to comment on the development as of the time of filing this report.