Southern Kaduna community seeks military base to curb banditry, kidnapping

Aggrieved residents of Ruruma community in Kauru Local Council, Southern Kaduna, have appealed to the federal and state governments to address the rising wave of terrorist attacks and kidnappings in their area.

The community claims it has paid over N1 billion in ransom to secure the release of victims abducted by bandits. In a statement signed by the National President of the Ruruma Development Association, Daniel Dallah, and made available to journalists in Kaduna yesterday, the community urged the Federal Government to establish a military base in Kwassam.

According to Dallah, the presence of security personnel in the area would help stem the killings and abductions that have displaced many residents and disrupted their livelihoods.

Dallah noted that a senior community leader, who is also a director with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was abducted in the area and released after a ransom of N300 million was paid.

He disclosed that in just four months, the community lost 13 lives and saw over 200 people kidnapped, with a significant portion of the ransom paid by impoverished residents.

“The establishment of a military formation in Kwassam will help displaced residents return to their ancestral homes, where they can farm and contribute to food security,” Dallah said.

He lamented that many communities, including Fagen Rawa, Kaibi, Kusheka, Fadan Ruruma, Rafin Rimi, Kitimi, Kakude, and Kiwollo, have been affected by the violence, forcing residents to relocate to safer areas.

The traditional ruler of Ruruma, Chief Dauda Abdulsalam, the Pugom Kumana, has also been hiding due to threats to his life, Dallah added. He expressed concern that the community was excluded from recent security discussions presented to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3rd Division in Jos.

Dallah argued that a military base in Kwassam, the headquarters of the Ruruma community, would serve not only the Kumana Chiefdom but also other neighbouring areas, including Dokan Karji, Sabon Gida Libere, Maikudumi, Fili, and Nasarawa, which currently lack security formations.

“We are ready to donate houses or facilities to accommodate the military if the base is approved. This is a desperate appeal to the Federal Government to intensify efforts in supporting our governor, Senator Uba Sani, in addressing this menace,” Dallah said.

He reiterated the community’s readiness to cooperate fully with security agencies and the government to restore peace, end banditry, and allow residents to rebuild their lives.