The people of Rigasa, a community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, are living in palpable fear with their eyes always open due to the frequent attacks by kidnappers.
In the last few weeks, not less than 20 family members were kidnapped while many residents were killed even when the ransom was paid.
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Don’t forget that Rigasa hosts the Abuja-Kaduna train station, which is not spared by the notorious kidnappers.
The killing of a youth leader two weeks ago, coupled with the abduction of another, who was later gruesomely murdered after ransom was paid, is very frightening and disturbing.
Is Rigasa community becoming the darling of these dreaded kidnappers because of the absence of security personnel who are supposed to be policing the area?
Is Rigasa descending to another hotspot of kidnapping? I think the answer to both questions is “YES”.
The notorious kidnappers usually storm the community at their pleasure, brandishing dangerous weapons and attacking people.
They shoot sporadically, scare law-abiding citizens and kidnap their victims.
Rigasa, the once lively and burstling community, is today at the mercy of bandits.
The reign of terror visiting on the peaceful community by rampaging kidnappers has forced many businesses to close.
The little ones who summoned courage to stay and operate are living in apprehension.
Many people think that with the train station located in Rigasa, adequate security would be deployed or beefed up. However, we are all wrong.
The lax security at the train station attracts these kidnappers, who abduct passengers with ease.
There is, therefore, the need for government to deploy adequate security personnel to comb up the area.
The kidnappers are likely to extend their operation to other neighbouring communities unless their dangerous activities are stopped.
The Kaduna State government should quickly come to the aid of Rigasa community by actively engaging unemployed youths into the vigilante group to work together with other security outfits to protect the community.
There also is the need for government to deploy more troops to secure the community.
Lawal Adamu Usman
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