Southern Kaduna residents decry terrorist invasion, demand military formation

An aggrieved community in Southern Kaduna has cried out to the Federal and Kaduna State governments over the activities of terrorists and kidnappers, saying that they have paid over ₦1 billion to bandits as ransom to free victims.

Subsequently, the Ruruma community in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State has appealed to the Federal Government to establish a military base in Kwassam to halt the escalating, incessant killings and abductions of their people by bandits.

The community made the appeal on Sunday in a statement signed by its National President, Daniel Dallah, and made available to journalists in Kaduna.

Speaking on the urgent need to secure the area with a military presence, the President stressed the need for a military formation in the area to ensure prompt action to help restore security and protect lives and property.

He noted that one of the leaders of the community, a CBN Director, was once abducted in the area, and ₦300 million was paid as ransom for his release.

Dallah explained that a military formation in Kwassam will help restore normalcy in surrounding vulnerable communities that have been displaced over the years, while revealing that about ₦1b has so far been paid as ransom from these vulnerable communities, where 13 people were gruesomely killed and over 200 taken captive in the space of 4 months.

He said, “The military formation in Kwassam will enable the communities that have been displaced to return to their ancestral land, where they have their farms and farm produce. Currently, our traditional leader, Chief Alh. Dauda Abdulsalam, the Pugom Kumana, has not been at home for some years due to an attempt on his life by the bandits.”

He wondered why the people were completely exempted during the presentation of the security report to the GOC 3rd Division Jos.

“Also, communities like Fagen Rawa, Kaibi, Kusheka, Fadan Ruruma, Rafin Rimi, Kitimi, Kakude, and Kiwollo have all been affected by the kidnappings and killings, while many residents of these communities have had to relocate to neighbouring communities for fear of being kidnapped or killed,” he added.

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The community leader further explained that citing a military formation in Kwassam, the headquarters of Ruruma, would be strategic for its operations to help halt the incessant killings and abductions of locals, who are 99.9% farmers.

Dallah further said that the communities have witnessed setbacks due to the brutal killings of people during kidnappings, who are legitimately working on their farms, while attributing the development to a conspiracy to ensure poverty thrives in their areas.

“The creation of a military base in Kwassam, the headquarters of Ruruma Community, will serve the entire Kumana Chiefdom and other neighboring communities like Dokan Karji, Sabon Gida Libere, Maikudumi, Fili, Unguwan Nabara, Mahuta, Sabon Layin, Kan’makama, Ungwan Isah, Ruwan Sanyi, Ungwan Danja, Ungwan Maizuma, Ungwan Zango, Ungwan Gayya, Ungwan Garkuwa, and Nasarawa, which do not have any military formation, not even a Police division,” he stated.

He said the community is ready to donate their houses or facilities to the military once the formation is approved to start operations, adding, “We are appealing to the Federal Government to intensify efforts in supporting our Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, as he responds to our plight.”

He assured the community’s hundred percent readiness to cooperate with the security agencies and governments to end the menace in their communities.

“We are appealing to the Federal Government to intensify efforts in supporting our Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, as he responds to our plight,” he added.

He assured the community’s hundred percent readiness to cooperate with the security agencies and governments to end the menace in their communities.