Southern Kaduna: SOKAPU Reports 14 Killed and 31 Kidnapped
In Kaduna, the women's division of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has issued an urgent appeal to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, imploring him to address the deteriorating security conditions in the region.
SOKAPU, in a press release, recounted the devastation inflicted on the area by bandit herders on both October 2, 2021, and October 7, 2023, which resulted in the loss of 14 lives, the abduction of 31 individuals, along with the plundering of food supplies and livestock, as well as the destruction of villages, leaving many homeless.
In the statement, Mrs. Jemutu Katarma, the National Women Coordinator of SOKAPU, stated, among other things, "Southern Kaduna encompasses the eight Local Government Areas of Kaduna South Senatorial Zone, along with Lere LGA in Kaduna North Senatorial Zone, as well as Kajuru and Chikun LGAs in Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone. Out of these 12 LGAs in Southern Kaduna, only about three have been spared from violence and criminal activities perpetrated by armed groups, particularly bandits and armed herders. Thousands of lives have been lost, homes set ablaze, and hundreds of individuals kidnapped."
She continued, "Countless villages have been raided, and some have fallen under the control of these bandits. Even the previous state government consistently reported these heinous acts to the media every quarter. Our people, particularly women and children, have been displaced in the thousands. It is typically women and children who endure the greatest suffering during such forced displacements."
"It is undeniable that the previous government exhibited minimal compassion and displayed limited interest in assisting us in the face of these tragedies that have befallen our people. We received inadequate support. Among the 12 LGAs in Southern Kaduna, we believe that Kachia, Kajuru, and Chikun have borne the brunt of kidnappings. Women and children are often the primary targets.
Of significant concern, we wish to draw Governor Uba Sani's attention to a harrowing incident that transpired on October 2, 2021, in Kachuwe, near Sarkin Pawa in Niger State. After enduring multiple incursions by bandits in Chikun, the villagers sought refuge in Kachuwe, believing it to be a safer place to rebuild their lives through farming.
Regrettably, on October 2, 2021, armed bandits descended upon the village, claiming the lives of 13 adult males and one young girl. Among the victims was an elderly grandfather, Baba Barda Kariya. The names of the other victims are: Ali Nariya, Zakariya Nariya, Markus Nariya, John Nariya, Haruna Nariya, Iko Ali, Vincent Ali, Amos Zakariya, Habila Zakariya, Smalis Markus, Timothy John, Victor Markus, and Godiya Markus, the sole female among the victims."
“After committing the crime, they looted the village of foodstuffs and animals.
They then burnt down the village. They spared the lives of the old women and sick old men. Then they took away the following females and boys. Grace Ali (25 years), Kauna Ali. (22 years). Murna Ali (18 years) Tera Ali (three years), Rahila Shagari (18 years),Sunday Zakaria (17 years), Leonard Zakaria (10 years) , Lucy Zakaria (11years), Blessing Zakaria (13 years), Charles Haruna (10 years),Tina Amos (27 years), Desire Amos (7 years), Success Amos (three years) and Yemi Benjamin (27years).
"Kauna Ali fell seriously ill while in the captivity of the bandits last year. Lacking access to medical treatment, she tragically succumbed to her illness. The distressing news reached us through a phone call from one of the abducted girls using a phone belonging to the bandits. To this day, the whereabouts of her remains remain unknown."
"It is crucial to highlight that Yemi Benjamin was heavily pregnant with her first child due to her recent marriage. Following their abduction, the bandits initially demanded a ransom, but they later refused to accept it. Approximately a month later, Yemi Benjamin gave birth in the wilderness. The captors allowed her to use the phone to inform her in-laws of the birth of a baby girl.
It's also worth noting that three and ten-year-old boys were among those abducted and remain in the custody of the bandits. It has been 12 months since we last heard from them, marking two years in captivity as of October 2, 2023. The uncertainty surrounding the fate of their loved ones is an agonizing experience for the families of these captives.
Furthermore, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, in Chikuri village, within Chikun LGA, a group of bandits infiltrated Maikudi farms where villagers were tending to rented portions of the land. The bandits attacked the farm and kidnapped 14 women and a young boy. Among the abducted women are 54-year-old Mrs. Lydia Dogara and her 20-year-old daughter, Linda Dogara."
"Hence, we can confirm that a minimum of 27 women and girls, along with four boys who are residents of Kaduna State from Chikun LGA, remain in the clutches of kidnappers, with one having tragically lost her life. Regrettably, there may be additional victims enduring a similar ordeal within the state.
We fervently implore the Kaduna State government, under the leadership of Senator Uba Sani, to leverage his commendable rapport with Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other security leaders to take every necessary action to reunite these women and children with their families. Alternatively, we beseech them to provide us with any available information regarding the well-being of these individuals."
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