Residents of Danhonu II community in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, staged a protest on Monday following the abduction of seven persons by suspected bandits, highlighting growing insecurity in the area.
The protesters marched to the Millennium City Divisional Police Headquarters, temporarily blocking a major access road as they chanted solidarity songs and demanded urgent security intervention from authorities.
The latest kidnapping incident occurred at about 11:30 pm on Sunday, when armed men invaded the community and abducted members of two families, plunging residents into renewed fear.
Those kidnapped were identified as Malam Yahaya Yusuf, his wife Latifat, and their sons Abdulgafar and Abdulqudus. Also abducted were Mrs Abdulrazak Jimoh and two of her children, whose names were yet to be disclosed.
Community members said the attack has raised the total number of kidnapping cases in the area to 11 within a few months, worsening anxiety among residents.
According to them, the attacks appear to be targeted at non-indigenes, fuelling suspicions that informants may be aiding the kidnappers.
A protester, who spoke anonymously, said the attackers stormed the community in large numbers and were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles.
“In the last month alone, more than four residents have been kidnapped here. Yesterday, no fewer than 15 bandits came with AK-47 rifles and abducted about five people to an unknown destination,” he said.
He explained that residents decided to take their grievances to the police after enduring repeated attacks without relief.
Leading the protest, Chairman of the Danhonu II Landlords Association, Mr Akoh Salifu, said persistent kidnappings had made peaceful living impossible for residents.
“We are here because we can no longer live in peace. The pressure from these repeated kidnapping incidents has become unbearable,” Salifu said.
He added that some youths attempted to pursue the kidnappers into the bush after Sunday’s attack but were unsuccessful.
“As law-abiding citizens, we came to the police station to formally register our complaints and ask for urgent intervention to save our community,” he stated.
Confirming the incident, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the police received a distress call and responded promptly.
According to him, police operatives, alongside soldiers, were deployed to the scene but arrived late due to poor road access and difficult terrain, allowing the attackers to escape after an exchange of gunfire.
Hassan added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, later visited the community, met with stakeholders, and assured residents that a police outpost may be established to strengthen security in the area.
