Resurgence of killings, kidnapping in 2024 worries ADA
Adara Development Association (ADA) has lamented the resurgence of killings and kidnapping in their communities, reporting 35 security breaches in the first quarter of 2024.
According to ADA officials, across Adara land in Kaduna and Niger states, over 29 villages were attacked, 41 persons killed, 24 persons injured and 222 kidnapped, with many yet to regain their freedom from the bandits.
National President of ADA, Sebastian Barde, stated, yesterday, “Over 35 houses were destroyed during the period and the ransom so far confirmed to have been paid is N88 million.
“A breakdown of the impact indicates that Kachia and Kajuru local councils had 20 and 21 fatalities respectively. On abductions, 98, 112 and 12 persons were kidnapped in Kachia, Kajuru and Adara communities in Niger respectively. On ransom, N58 million, N23 million and N7 million were paid by Adara communities of Kajuru, Kachia and Adara in Niger respectively.”
The president explained that the latest report confirmed that a woman was killed and some of her body parts were removed, while the bandits refused to allow the body to be taken for burial.
He lamented, “We are particularly concerned about the continuing trend of massacres, mass abductions and outrageous ransoms being extorted from our hapless people. Specific examples include the 11 killed in Ungwan Sako, 13 killed at Gindin Dutse, 29 abducted at Ungwan Sako, 33 abducted at Kwakware, 61 abducted at Buda, 87 abducted at Tantatu, N11 million extorted from Kwakware and N42 million from Ungwan Sako.
“Adara community is suffering and enduring a lot from the actions and inactions of the government, whose responsibility it is to protect life and property. While suffering so much, it amounts to double jeopardy for it to be left overexposed again to the excesses of merciless non-state actors like the rampaging terrorists.”
While praying that the emerging trend does not continue, Adara indigenes called on the government to live up to the social contract. They also called on all sons and daughters of Adara to distance themselves from the activities of evil elements distributing but ensure vigilance, unity and synergy in the face of the life-threatening situation.
