The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), has said that 45 people have been kidnapped following “mass abductions” in communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
In a statement on Monday in Kaduna, President of SOKAPU, Awemi Maisamari, said the terrorists are demanding for N200 million ransom for the release of their victims.
He said the latest abductions took place between September 12 -13, 2022 in Kasuwan Magani, about 20km from Kaduna metropolis.
He said, “On the first day (12th September), 6 people were abducted in a night raid by the daredevil terrorists at Ungwan Fada part of the town.
“With no measures put in place to forestall recurrence, the following day (13th September), the terrorists stormed the Cherubim and Seraphim Church during a night vigil programme at the Bayan Kasuwa quarters of Kasuwan Magani town at around midnight.
“They succeeded in carting away more than 60 people from the church and neighboring houses”.
According to Maisamari, the bandits could take all the victims because some were little children and aged people with health challenges.
He said as the bandits were retreating with their victims to their camps, they attacked Janwuriya village and abducted two more persons
“As of now, 45 persons have so far been confirmed. But yesterday, 18th September, 2022, they made contact with some persons in the town via phone calls and claimed that only 40 persons are held by them.
“They demanded for a ransom of N200 million, but negotiation is still ongoing.
“We don’t know the identity or the fate of the five missing persons yet”, he said.
The statement said many bandits occupying terrories in communities in Kajuru and Chikun LGAs, cohabit with the locals who are treated like captives.
“They terrorised the villagers at will, making it difficult or impossible for them to till or harvest their farms. “As a result, most early maturing crops are being left to rot on the farm. This is a daily experience in most occupied communities in Southern Kaduna.”
Maisamari said further that, “In the last few months, Southern part of Kaduna state had witnessed and unusual influx of thousands of herdsmen and their cattle from neighbouring states.
“They indulgence in deliberate farm destruction often at night; stealing of ripe farm crops and intimidation of helpless victim farmers.
“Hundreds of hectares of crops bearing farmlands valued in millions of Naira have been destroyed”, he said.
The statement said, the communities worst affeceted are Sankwab, Gora Gida, Warkan, Ashong Ashui, Abuyab, Zamandabo, and Shiliam communities, in Atyap Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf LGA.
“We know that our security agencies and personnel have the capacity to rout these enemies of the people and the state because their routes, locations and sometimes, even collaborators within are well known.
“SOKAPU is also not unaware of the immense suffering and sacrifices being made by our security forces, for which we appreciate.
In view of the above, SOKAPU wishes to express profound sympathy to indigenous communities and peaceful Fulani herdsmen affected by this cruelty. “We are calling on all communities not to let down their guards at this critical moment,” Maisamari said.
Spokesman of the Kaduna police command, Mohammed Jalige, did not respond to telephone calls when contacted.
John Shiklam
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