Police dismantle bandits’ hideouts in Kaduna

At least 100 communities in southern Kaduna State have been attacked and partially destroyed by bandits, displacing thousands of residents and forcing others into negotiations over land disputes, according to reports from local leaders. The attacks, which span six local government areas, Shiroro, Kachia, Kajuru, Kagarko, Chikun, and Birnin Gwari, have left many communities in ruins, with some reportedly renamed and taken over by outsiders. The National President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union, Tabara Kato, stated that more than 100 communities have been displaced, while the former association spokesman, Luka Binniyat, claimed the figure could be as high as 245. Over 35,000 residents have fled their homes, many now living in internally displaced persons camps under dire conditions. The most recent attack occurred on July 26 in Naridon Village within Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Government Area. During a three-hour raid, armed attackers killed at least 30 villagers, including eight children. The assault highlights the severity of the situation, with Kato attributing the violence to land grabbing and resource control. He accused certain individuals of funding the attacks to displace indigenous communities from areas believed to contain valuable mineral resources. Some communities have reportedly been overrun, with invaders taking over and renaming them. Kato emphasized that the primary motive behind the attacks is land acquisition, with other factors playing a secondary role. Residents displaced by the violence face extreme hardship, living in temporary shelters with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. Many rely on aid organizations and local charities for survival. The situation has worsened the humanitarian crisis in the region, with estimates suggesting that the number of internally displaced persons in southern Kaduna alone has reached approximately 150,000. Binniyat warned that the prolonged displacement has created a security vacuum, allowing further criminal activity to flourish in the area. In response to the escalating violence, the Kaduna State Police Command took action earlier this week by dismantling two suspected bandit hideouts in Makarfi Local Government Area. The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Kaduna State Vigilance Service, targeted structures in Durum and Danguzuri, near the border with Kano State. These hideouts were identified as locations where abducted victims were held. The police operation began at around 8:00 a.m. and was based on intelligence gathered from local communities. Two specific sites, Rugar Mijin Goggo and Unguwar Maryamu in Danguzuri, were targeted and dismantled. Following the operation, joint security patrols continued in the affected areas, with authorities stating that normalcy has since been restored. The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, praised the cooperation of local communities and the bravery of security personnel. He reiterated the police's commitment to combating banditry and other forms of crime in the state. Muhammad encouraged citizens to provide accurate and timely information to help law enforcement agencies conduct effective operations against criminal elements. Despite these efforts, the underlying issues fueling the conflict remain unresolved. Kato called on the federal government and security agencies to investigate the financial backers of the attacks, arguing that merely arresting perpetrators without addressing their sponsors would fail to bring lasting peace. He urged authorities to demonstrate political will in tackling the root causes of the violence, particularly the exploitation of land and resources. Without such measures, he warned, the cycle of displacement and insecurity would persist. The attacks have drawn attention to the broader challenges facing southern Kaduna, where tensions over land ownership and resource allocation have long simmered. With no immediate resolution in sight, the situation continues to pose a significant threat to regional stability and the safety of local populations.