Residents of Danhonu II community in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, protested on Monday following the abduction of seven people by suspected bandits.
The protesters marched to the Millennium City Divisional Police Headquarters, blocking the major access road while chanting solidarity songs and demanding urgent security intervention.
The attack occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, when bandits reportedly stormed the community and abducted members of two families.
Those kidnapped include Yahaya Yusuf, his wife Latifat Yusuf, and their sons Abdulgafar and Abdulqudus. Also taken were Mrs. Abdulrazak Jimoh and two of her children, whose names were not immediately disclosed.
Residents said the incident has heightened fear in the community, noting that it brings the total number of kidnap cases recorded in the area to 11 in recent months.
They alleged that the attacks mostly target non-indigenes, suggesting that informants may be aiding the criminals.
One anonymous protester said the bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded the community in large numbers. “In the last month, more than four residents have been kidnapped here. Yesterday, no fewer than 15 bandits came with AK-47 rifles and abducted about five residents to an unknown destination,” the protester said.
Akoh Salifu, chairman of the Danhonu II Landlords Association, who led the protest, said the community could no longer live in peace due to the persistent kidnappings.
According to him “We are here because we can no longer live in peace. The pressure from these repeated kidnapping incidents has become unbearable for us,” he said. Salifu added that some youths attempted to pursue the kidnappers into the bush but were unable to catch up.”
DSP Mansir Hassan, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident, stating that the police received a distress call and responded promptly.
“Police operatives, alongside soldiers, were deployed but arrived late due to poor road access and difficult terrain, allowing the bandits to escape despite an exchange of gunfire,” he said.
Hassan added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, visited the community and met with stakeholders, assuring them that the command would consider establishing a police outpost in the area.
