Dec 9: Bandits Terrorize Kaduna Community Over Refusal to Pay Extortion Fees; Many Abducted.
Again rampaging bandits have invaded another Kaduna Community, Kidandan in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where yet to be ascertained number of persons were feared killed resulting in residents fleeing in large numbers to neighbouring villages for safety.
The bandits were said to have stormed the community, shooting sporadically because, according to a source, the community failed to pay levies imposed on them to allow them to go to their farms.
Aside from those that were reported to have been killed, it was further gathered that some persons were also abducted during the attack.
Survivors told journalists that the bandits, who had been terrorising the community for some time, became more aggressive because of the failure by farmers to pay levies earlier imposed on them by the bandits.
The Kidandan attack is coming few days after the erroneous bombing of locals in Tudun Biri village of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where over 80 people lost their lives while more than 70 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
A survivor, who will not want his name mentioned, said, “For the past six days, the bandits have been coming to Kidandan, but this attack was devastating. They came and terrified us, stole and abducted our people. Every resident in Kidandan lives in extreme fear.
“Our women and children were leaving in droves. The number of those who embarked on this forceful and unprepared exodus would surprise you. They are moving for safety, perhaps to places like Zaria and other seemingly safe locations to squat with friends and relatives.”
He also alleged that instead of having a permanent security presence in the community, the operatives only came on patrol, which had given the bandits opportunity to operate whenever they knew the security operatives had gone.
When a call was put through to the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Munsur Hassan, for reaction his line was not reachable as at the time of filing this report.
