Insecurity: We’ve paid over N1bn as ransom to bandits, Southern Kaduna community cries out

The Ruruma community in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State has said the community has paid over N1 billion as ransom due to incessant bandit attacks and kidnappings in recent times.

To this end, the community is passionately appealing to the Federal Government to establish a military base in Kwassam to halt the escalating killings and abductions of their people by bandits.

The Ruruma community made this appeal on Sunday in a press statement signed by its National President, Mr Daniel Dallah Peace, which was made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

The President emphasised the need for a military formation in the area to ensure prompt action to restore security and protect lives and properties, revealing that one of their own, a CBN Director, was once abducted in the area, and N300 million was paid as ransom for his release.

Dallah emphasised that a military formation in Kwassam would help restore normalcy in surrounding vulnerable communities that have been displaced over the years. He revealed that about a billion naira has so far been paid as ransom by these vulnerable communities, where 13 people were gruesomely killed and over 200 were taken captive within the space of four months.

“The military formation in Kwassam will enable the communities that have been displaced to return to their ancestral land where they have their farms and farm produce.

“Currently, our traditional leader, Chief Alh. Dauda Abdulsalam, the Pugom Kumana, has not been at home for some years because of the attempt made on his life by the bandits,” Dallah stated.

The President wondered why the people were completely excluded during the presentation of the security report to the GOC, 3rd Division, Jos.

“Also, communities like Fagen Rawa, Kaibi, Kusheka, Fadan Ruruma, Rafin Rimi, Kitimi, Kakude, and Kiwollo have all been affected by the kidnappings and killings, while many residents of these communities have relocated to neighbouring areas for fear of being kidnapped or killed,” he stated.

He explained that citing a military formation in Kwassam community, the headquarters of Ruruma, would be strategic for operations to halt the incessant killings and abductions of locals, who are 99.9% farmers.

Mr Dallah further highlighted that these communities have witnessed setbacks due to the brutal killings of people during kidnappings while legitimately working on their farms, attributing the development to a conspiracy to ensure poverty thrives in their areas.

“The creation of a military base in Kwassam, the headquarters of the Ruruma community, will serve the entire Kumana Chiefdom and other neighbouring communities like Dokan Karji, Sabon Gida Libere, Maikudumi, Fili, Unguwan Nabara, Mahuta, Sabon Layi, Kan’Makama, Ungwan Isah, Ruwan Sanyi, Ungwan Danja, Ungwan Maizuma, Ungwan Zango, Ungwan Gayya, Ungwan Garkuwa, and Nasarawa, which do not have any military formation, not even a police division,” he stated.

He added that the community is ready to donate their houses or facilities to the military once the formation is approved to begin operations.

“We are appealing to the Federal Government to intensify efforts in supporting our Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, as he responds to our plight,” he added.

He assured the community’s full readiness to cooperate with security agencies and the government to end the menace in their communities.

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