SOKAPU raises the alarm over Southern Kaduna invasion

• Says terrorists kidnap 45, demand N200m ransom
• Police query claim as abductors confirm 40 in custody

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has raised the alarm of kidnapping, plundering and invasion of communities in the southern part of Kaduna State.

According to SOKAPU, no fewer than 45 persons have been kidnapped by terrorists and a ransom of N200 million being demanded while negotiation is still ongoing.

In a statement yesterday, President of SOKAPU, Dio Awemi Maisamari, said there was need to raise the alarm since relevant security agencies and government have not done anything to rescue the abductees, as well as put security measures in place to forestall future occurrence.

“There is still no breathing space for communities in Southern Kaduna. Terrorists, jihadists, bandits and armed herdsmen have continued to plunder and wreck communities in the Southern part of the state. The latest are the mass abductions that took place on September 12 and 13, 2022 at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Council of Kaduna State.

“Six persons were abducted in a night raid by the terrorists at Ungwan Fada part of the town on September 12, 2022.

“With no measures put in place to forestall recurrence, the following day, September 13, the terrorists stormed the Cherubim and Seraphim Church during a night vigil programme at the Bayan Kasuwa quarters of Kasuwan Magani town at midnight. They succeeded in carting away more than 60 people from the church and neighbouring houses. However, they could not take all of them away because some were very little children, aged or having health challenges,” the statement stated.

Besides, the statement stated that they (terrorists) made contact with some persons in the town via phone calls and claimed that only 40 persons are being held by them.

BUT when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Kaduna Police Command, DSP Mohammad Jalige, refrained from confirming the development and queried, “what is their (SOKAPU) source that such happened?”