…As Bandits Resume Threats
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Residents of Kaso, a predominantly Gbagyi sub-urban community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have staged a protest over the displacement of 18 villages and the closure of 13 primary and post-primary schools due to persistent attacks by armed bandits.
The protesters also raised alarm over renewed threats to farmers and residents in parts of the Kaduna metropolis, saying worsening insecurity has continued to disrupt livelihoods, education and healthcare delivery in the area.
Addressing journalists during a protest press briefing on Saturday in Maraban Rido, the leader of the Kaso Youth Forum, Hon. Prince Obadiah Baba Kasoiza, alongside displaced village heads and affected residents, said the community was compelled to speak out to draw the attention of Governor Uba Sani to what he described as the “true and alarming” security situation in Kaso and its surrounding villages.
According to Kasoiza, the affected villages span areas bordering Rido, Maraban Rido, Rijana Forest, Kakau–Abuja Road, Kujama, Buda, Gyengere and Tantatu in Kajuru Local Government Area.
He noted that the community experienced relative peace following Governor Sani’s assumption of office in 2023, which encouraged displaced farmers to return to their settlements and revived economic activities. However, he said the situation deteriorated again from November 2025, when bandit attacks reportedly resurfaced.
“Within the last three months, from November 2025 to date, lives have been lost and nearly 30 motorcycles have been snatched by bandits,” Kasoiza said. “In December alone, more than 50 persons were kidnapped, with millions of naira and motorcycles paid as ransom before their release.”
He added that between January and the first week of February 2026, several residents were again abducted, some of whom had regained freedom after ransom payments, while others were still in captivity as of the time of the briefing.
“As a community, our confidence in the ability of government to protect lives and property has been badly shaken,” he said. “Our hope of participating fully in the coming farming season is now uncertain.”
The youth leader traced the insecurity in Kaso to about 10 years ago, during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying the area had suffered repeated and sustained attacks since then. He alleged that homes, churches and mosques had been destroyed, while residents were forcefully displaced from their ancestral lands.
“Hundreds of motorcycles have been stolen, and hundreds more handed over to bandits as ransom. Millions of naira have been paid for the release of our loved ones,” he said.
Kasoiza explained that Kaso, which lies within the Kaduna metropolitan axis, is bordered by Kakau to the west; Rido, Maraban Rido and Kujama to the north; Buda, Gyengere and Tantatu in Kajuru LGA to the east; and Rijana Forest to the south—areas he said had become flashpoints for criminal activity.
He disclosed that the humanitarian impact of the insecurity had been severe, claiming that about 25 per cent of residents currently living in Maraban Rido and roughly 20 per cent of those in Kujama are displaced persons from Kaso who are eager to return home if security improves.
“As a result of these incessant attacks, socio-economic activities have been completely crippled,” he said. “Educational activities have been halted, with 13 LEA and UBE primary schools shut down, while no primary healthcare centre is currently functional in the entire area.”
The protesters called on Governor Uba Sani to urgently establish a military strike force base at Kurmin Kaso to curb banditry. They also appealed for the construction of three major access roads into the community to improve security response and revive economic activities.
Among other demands, the community urged the state government to reopen the closed schools to safeguard the education of children, provide relief materials to displaced families, and implement human capacity development and sensitisation programmes to support resettlement.
Kasoiza further alleged that despite being aware of the situation, including briefings to the local government chairman and security agencies, no substantial relief had reached the displaced residents.
He also expressed concern that the deployment of security personnel in some instances had allegedly heightened tension, claiming bandits accused residents of inviting security forces and became more aggressive in response.
The community appealed for renewed government intervention, reassurance of security, and sustained protection of lives and property to enable displaced residents to return to their homes safely.
