Residents of Danhonu II community in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Monday took to the streets to protest against rising cases of kidnapping in the area, following the abduction of seven persons by suspected bandits.
The protest came less than 24 hours after armed men invaded the community late on Sunday night and kidnapped members of two families. The incident has further deepened fear among residents, many of whom say they no longer feel safe in their homes.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the protesters marched to the Millennium City Divisional Police Headquarters. They blocked the major access road leading to the station, demanding urgent action from security agencies to stop the repeated attacks.
According to residents, the latest attack occurred at about 11:30pm on Sunday when suspected bandits stormed the community in large numbers. Armed with rifles, the attackers reportedly moved from house to house before taking their victims away to an unknown location.
Those abducted were identified as Yahaya Yusuf, his wife, Latifat Yusuf, and their two sons, Abdulgafar and Abdulqudus. Also kidnapped during the raid were Mrs Abdulrazak Jimoh and her two children, whose names were not immediately available at the time of reporting.
Residents said the attack caused panic in the area, as many people stayed awake throughout the night out of fear that the bandits might return. Some families were said to have fled their homes temporarily, seeking safety in nearby communities.
Speaking during the protest, residents disclosed that the latest abduction brought the total number of kidnapping cases recorded in Danhonu II community to 11 within the past few months. They said the frequency of the attacks showed that the criminals were becoming more daring.
One of the protesters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits came in large numbers and were heavily armed. According to him, the attackers appeared well-organised and familiar with the community.
“In the last one month, more than four residents have been kidnapped here. Yesterday night, no fewer than 15 bandits came with AK-47 rifles and abducted about five residents to an unknown destination,” he said.
He added that residents had endured the situation for too long and were left with no choice but to protest. “We have been patient, but this has become too much. That is why we came out today to cry to the police for help,” he said.
Some residents also alleged that the attacks seemed to be targeted mainly at non-indigenes living in the community. This, they said, raised suspicion that some informants might be providing information to the criminals.
According to them, the bandits often strike at night and appear to know which houses to target. They called on security agencies to investigate possible internal collaborators and strengthen patrols in the area.
The Chairman of the Danhonu II Landlords Association and leader of the protest, Mr Akoh Salifu, said the community could no longer live in peace due to the constant threat of kidnapping.
“We are here because we can no longer live in peace. The pressure from these repeated kidnapping incidents has become unbearable for us,” Salifu said while addressing journalists at the police station.
He explained that despite repeated complaints to security agencies, the attacks had continued, leaving residents frustrated and afraid. He called for increased police presence and regular patrols, especially at night.
Salifu also revealed that after Sunday night’s attack, some youths in the community attempted to chase the kidnappers into the bush. However, they were unable to catch up with them due to the rough terrain and the weapons carried by the criminals.
“Our youths tried to pursue them, but they could not go far. These criminals are armed, and our people are not. We do not want to lose more lives,” he said.
He added that the protest was peaceful and aimed at drawing the attention of the authorities to the suffering of the people. “As law-abiding citizens, we decided to come to the police to formally register our grievances and cry out for urgent intervention to save our community,” he said.
Kidnapping and bandit attacks have become a major security challenge in parts of Kaduna State and other states in northern Nigeria. Over the years, armed groups have targeted villages, highways, and even urban areas, abducting residents for ransom.
In Chikun Local Government Area, several communities have recorded cases of abduction, forcing some residents to relocate or live in constant fear. Security experts say the problem is linked to the spread of armed groups operating in forests and ungoverned areas around the state.
The Kaduna State Government has, in the past, said it is working with security agencies to tackle insecurity through military operations, intelligence gathering, and community engagement. However, residents say more needs to be done to protect lives and property.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the police regarding the protest or the latest abductions. Residents, however, expressed hope that their action would lead to stronger security measures in the area.
For the people of Danhonu II community, the protest was not just about the seven abducted persons, but a desperate call for help. Many fear that if urgent steps are not taken, more families could fall victim to the growing wave of kidnappings in the area.
