Kidnapping forcing district heads to migrate to Kaduna cities

The former senator of Kaduna Central in the eighth Assembly has again raised concern about the security situation in the state saying many village and district heads are now migrating to the cities for fear of being kidnapped.

There has been increase in the number of kidnap for ransom activities as well bandits’ attacks in many communities in the state.

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In a press release issued recently by the Atyap community, three community leaders, including secretary to the district heads went missing after a meeting between herders and farmers over the destruction of farm crops by cattle.

There have been reported cases of killings and people’s disappearance, including community leaders following a clash between the Fulani and Atyap indigenes in Atyap Chiefdom in the southern part of Kaduna State.

The state’s commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, last week confirmed the killing of eight people when gunmen invaded Chikun, Giwa, and Kajuru local councils.

The commissioner also confirmed the killing of a former councillor in Birnin Gwari the same day.

While reacting to the rising cases of insecurity, Sani took to Twitter to raise the alarm that the development has now forced many Village and District Heads to abandon their subjects by fleeing to the cities for the fear of being killed.

“Because of persistent attacks and kidnappings,Most of the Chiefs and District Heads in our rural areas have migrated to the cities,leaving behind their Chiefdoms and subjects.”

Because of persistent attacks and kidnappings,Most of the Chiefs and District Heads in our rural areas have migrated to the cities,leaving behind their Chiefdoms and subjects.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) April 3, 2021

The former Senator recently met popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi where he pleaded to him to intervene in securing the release of the 39 students of Federal Forestry College and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) held by kidnappers in the state.

According to a report by Civic Lab, a nonprofit organisation, no fewer than 174 violent deaths were recorded in the first quarter of 2021 in Kaduna State, the highest of such deaths in the country this year.