KADUNA: Residents of Danhonu II community in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on Monday staged a protest following the abduction of seven people by suspected bandits.
The protesters marched to the Millennium City Divisional Police Headquarters, blocking the main access road while chanting solidarity songs and demanding urgent security intervention.
The attack, which occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, targeted members of two families.
Those abducted include Yahaya Yusuf, his wife Latifat Yusuf, and their sons Abdulgafar and Abdulqudus. Also kidnapped were Mrs.
Abdulrazak Jimoh and two of her children, whose identities were not immediately disclosed.
Community members expressed fear over the rising wave of kidnappings, noting that the total number of abductions in the area has reached 11 in recent months.
Residents allege that the attacks primarily target non-indigenes and suspect insider collusion may be aiding the criminals.
One protester, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits stormed the community in large numbers, armed with AK-47 rifles.
In the last month, more than four residents have been kidnapped here. Yesterday, no fewer than 15 bandits came and abducted about five residents to an unknown location,” he said.
The Chairman of the Danhonu II Landlords Association, Akoh Salifu, who led the protest, said the repeated kidnappings have made life unbearable for residents.
Some youths tried to pursue the kidnappers into the bush after Sunday night’s attack but couldn’t catch them.
As law-abiding citizens, we decided to come to the police to formally register our grievances and demand urgent intervention, Salifu said.
Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident. He said police operatives and soldiers were deployed but arrived late due to poor road access and difficult terrain, allowing the bandits to escape despite an exchange of gunfire.
Hassan added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, visited the community and assured residents that the command would consider establishing a police outpost to improve security in the area.
