Not fewer than 22 people were kidnapped in separate attacks on Kugauta and Kitanda communities in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Friday night.
The assailants, reportedly armed bandits, invaded the Kugauta community of Kusheka and the Kitanda community of Geshere in Kumana Chiefdom around 10:30 p.m., shooting sporadically to scare residents before abducting 22 locals, mostly women and children.
A resident and student pastor, Emmanuel Johnson, confirmed the incident via telephone, stating that 12 people were abducted in Kitanda, while 10 others were taken from Kugauta.
Johnson lamented the increasing insecurity in the region and criticized the lack of adequate security measures. “Despite the recurring kidnappings and attacks, only three policemen are stationed in our community and neighboring villages. This is insufficient to protect us,” he said.
He added, “The government must show us that we’re Nigerians and have equal rights to protection. Our communities are being emptied as people flee due to fear of abductions and killings.”
Johnson revealed that over ₦60 million has been paid as ransom to secure the release of previous victims, while many remain in captivity.
He also highlighted other challenges, including poor infrastructure. “We lack good roads, hospitals, and schools. Even taking farm produce to market is a struggle due to the bad roads,” he said.
Calling for urgent intervention, Johnson urged the government to deploy security forces to conduct offensive operations against the bandits and establish police stations and army forward operating bases in strategic locations. “The bandits have crippled our economy and driven us into abject poverty,” he added.
Efforts to reach Kaduna State Police spokesperson DSP Mansir Hassan for confirmation of the incident were unsuccessful as calls to his line went unanswered.
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