- Mrs. Jemutu Katarma, the National Women Coordinator of SOKAPU, conveyed this distressing information in a statement on Monday
The women’s division of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has reported the abduction of at least 27 women and 4 boys by bandits in Southern Kaduna.
They have urgently appealed to the authorities to intervene and rescue the victims.
Mrs. Jemutu Katarma, the National Women Coordinator of SOKAPU, conveyed this distressing information in a statement on Monday.
She highlighted that numerous villages in Southern Kaduna have been attacked and occupied by these bandits, resulting in a significant number of people being displaced from their homes.
“May I use this opportunity to warmly greet the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Sen. Uba Sani and his deputy, our dear sister, Dr. Sabuwa Hadiza Balarabe and express our goodwill to them on behalf of the entire women of Southern Kaduna.”
“After closely observing the policies, words and actions of Gov. Uba Sani since he came to power in May 2023, we have good reasons to believe that he has come to restore hope, confidence and unity to the state. We also see him working with the Federal Government in helping to solve the serious challenge on the security of lives and property of citizens of Kaduna state.”
“It is based on this belief that we are encouraged to use this medium to send him an SoS message on very disturbing security matters, part which he inherited, and to plead for his urgent intervention.As you may all be aware by now, Southern Kaduna is made up of the 8 Local Government Areas of Kaduna South Senatorial Zone, plus Lere LGA in Kaduna North Senatorial Zone including Kajuru and Chikun LGAs in Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone,” she stated.
The Southern Kaduna women explained that out of these 12 LGAs of Southern Kaduna only about three have not suffered violence and crimes from armed groups, especially bandits and armed herdsmen, as thousands have been killed, houses burnt and hundreds have been kidnapped.
“May I state that it is true that the past government did not show much compassion or interest in assisting us on these evils that have happened to our people. We did not get a good deal at all..Out of the 12 LGAs of Southern Kaduna, Kachia, Kajuru and Chikun are, in our belief, the worst that suffer in the hands of kidnappers. And women and children are their main targets.”
“Of particular note, we want to bring to the attention of His Excellency, Gov Uba Sani about a terrible development that happened to his citizens on 2nd October, 2023 in Kachuwe, close to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State. After their villages suffered several invasions from bandits in Chikun, they decided to move to Kachuwe which they thought was safer to start life all over again by farming.”