Residents block highway, protest renewed bandit attacks in Southern-Kaduna

By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna

Residents of Ungwan Ate in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State staged a protest on Wednesday, decrying the frequent attacks and kidnappings that have plagued their community and neighboring villages.

The demonstrators, in large numbers, blocked the Ungwan Ate, Ungwan Mission road along the Kaduna-Kachia highway, urging the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to intervene and ensure their safety.

Expressing their frustration, the protesters lamented that their community had become a target for bandits, leaving them in constant fear.

One of the protesters recounted a recent incident, stating that gunmen invaded Ungwan Ate on Tuesday night, operating for over two hours and abducting one resident.

“We no longer feel safe. These criminals strike without resistance, and we have been left to our fate. The government and security forces must act quickly to prevent further loss of life,” he said.

Carrying placards with various messages, the demonstrators accused authorities of failing to protect them. Some of the inscriptions read: “The Kaduna government claims to have made peace with the bandits, yet we are being killed daily in Kachia,” and “We can’t go to our farms, yet farming is our livelihood.”

The protest comes amid a surge in kidnappings across Kachia Local Government, with nearby communities, including Gadanji, Ungwan Wage, Ungwan Alhaji, Agunu Dutse, Maro, and Ungwan Dauje, also facing persistent attacks.

Residents say despite repeated distress calls, security presence remains inadequate. They further called on the government for immediate intervention to restore peace and security in the area.

Speaking with NewsDirect Correspondent in Kaduna on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, said that they are doing their best and will continue to do that until normalcy returns.