INSECURITY IN NORTHWEST Over 50 killed, 1,000 abducted, N300m ransom paid in 3 months- Kaduna indigenes lament

*As bandits in Katsina demand 700 cows, 1000 sheep from residents within 6 days

BY GABRIEL UDEH, KADUNA

In a most horrifying experience, over 50 villagers have been reportedly killed and over 1000 kidnapped in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State by bandits.

The Daily Monitor on Sunday also learnt that N300 million has been allegedly paid as ransom in securing the release of the abducted survivors between October and December 2025/26.

This was corroborated by Rev. Musa Hassan Shadari, while briefing newsmen on Saturday in Kaduna.

According to Rev. Musa Shadari, the ransoms were sourced from victims’ relatives and sale of reserved food items, farmlands and other prized items amongst others.

Rev. Shadari who led a large number of villagers on a protest visit to Kaduna metropolis told journalists that about 17 of the abductees are still in the kidnappers’ captivity, and that their families are in contact with them.

The villagers who stormed the office premises of a human rights activist, inside Kaduna town in their numbers, also said a total of 39 villages were affected in the attacks, killings and kidnapping since October, November and December 2025/26.

He explained that the villagers came from Kauru-West area of Kauru Local Government and are made up of Muslims, Christians, Hausa and Fulani. He respectfully appealed to the Governor Uba Sani led administration to give them soldiers to secure there area.

“My name is Rev. Musa Hassan Shadari. We come from Kauru local government, the western Kauru.

We are here to deliver our request to our governor to help us especially in the issue of security.

“We are here with our Muslims, colleagues and Christians, Hausa and Fulani. We are here to beg the government to give us soldiers to secure our places because of the issue of kidnappers.

“We are facing a lot of challenges from the kidnappers they are chasing us away from our homes, our communities in Kauru”, he lamented.

According to the leader, the security was informed but only come and left, and did not stay at the time of attacked by the bandits on these communities and villages.

On why it has taken so long to cry out, the leader said they were actually ignorant of where to go and what to do till when some good Samaritans came to their rescue to seek media briefing to beg for government’s intervention.

Findings revealed that, political leaders, like senators and reps members, both federal and state Assembly, from the area are silent and are unknown to most of the villagers, according to those who spoke to journalists.

Rev. Shakari also told journalists that while a large number of those killed by the bandits were buried some were not, adding “Some of them we did not bury them, some of them we buried them”.

Names of some of those killed by the bandits made available to newsmen are Yahaya Rambasaya, Peter Mayari, Pastor Mahemiya Wakili, Nuni ga Barnabas, Muntari Tela, Umaru Ibrahim, Usaini Amadu, Anthony Joseph, Bala Jume, Ishaya Malam, Isah Audu, Simón Sa’idu, Pastor Ecwa Ungwan Pastor, Rashidu Mumuni, Ali Alwaro, Karami Isiya, to mention but few.

Meanwhile residents of communities in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State have been thrown into panic after suspected bandits issued a six-day ultimatum, demanding 700 cattle and 1,000 sheep to avoid an attack.

The demand was conveyed in a letter delivered to the affected communities on April 6 where residents were given notice until Friday, April 10, to comply.

The threat has reportedly triggered widespread fear across the affected communities, namely, Sukuntuni, Unguwar Tsamiya, Magama, Walawa, and Tudun Wulli, with reports of armed bandits moving freely on motorcycles.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Saturday, said the ultimatum followed months of harassment and abductions allegedly carried out by armed bandits operating in the area.

According to him, a notorious bandit leader had earlier moved large numbers of rustled animals after a dispute with associates, before issuing what he considered a “tax” demand on local communities.

“The situation has forced people to flee. Some have relocated to Rimaye, others to parts of Kano State, while some moved to Katsina town. About 10 villages are now deserted,” he said.

Concerns have, however, risen over the effectiveness of past negotiations between communities and armed bandits, which residents said previously brought only temporary relief.

Meanwhile, the Director General, Media and Publicity, to the Katsina State Governor, Malam Maiwada Dan-Mallam, on Saturday, appealed for calm.

“The letter has not been officially acknowledged by any authority. It could have been written to create fear among the people. And the government is working tirelessly to protect lives and property across the state,” Dan-Mallam noted.

It was, however, gathered that, despite official assurances, tension remains high in the affected communities, with many displaced residents remaining in fear about returning home.