Youths block Kaduna-Abuja highway after bandits ‘kill four, abduct 49’

Some youths, on Saturday morning, blocked Kaduna-Abuja highway to protest the killing of four people and the abduction of 49 others by bandits in Angwan Madaki, Kakau community, Chikun LGA of Kaduna.

The community, which is located on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis, was said to have come under persistent attacks by bandits throughout the week.

The latest attack, according to sources in the community, occurred on Friday at about 10pm when the bandits, in their numbers, invaded the community and killed two people.

About 20 others, including a chief, his wife, and brother were abducted in the attack.

Speaking in a telephone interview with TheCable on Saturday, a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity,  said a total of four people were killed while 49 people were abducted within three days.

“On Tuesday the bandits invaded the community killed two people and abducted 15 others. On Thursday, they came back again and killed two people and kidnapped 14,” the source said.

“Yesterday (Friday) at about 10pm they came and killed two people and kidnapped 20 others including the Chief, his brother and wife.

“Throughout this week, our community had been under constant attack by bandits.

“This angered the youths and this morning (Saturday), they blocked the Kaduna -Abuja road by the overhead bridge, to expressed their frustration over the security situation.”

The source lamented that despite the location of two female soldiers’ camps close to the community, the attacks have continued unchecked.

He added that a lot of people have fled the community as a result of the incessant attacks.

“What baffles us is that we have the female soldiers camp close to Kakau. There is also another soldiers camp close to the main road, yet the attacks have persisted,” the source said.

“Our people have been living in perpetual fear and this is a community that is close to Kaduna metropolis! Many people have relocated to Kaduna metropolis as a result of these frequent attacks.”

Mohammad Jalige, the spokesman of the Kaduna state police command, could not be reached as his phone was switched off when contacted to speak on the incidents.