A group of armed bandits attacked a worship center in Kaduna State on Sunday, abducting 16 congregants.
The incident took place just one week after the Kaduna State Government had announced a peace agreement with armed bandits, who had previously caused widespread kidnappings and killings in the region.
The state government had recently made significant progress in efforts to achieve peace, with several bandits operating in at least five local government areas agreeing to disarm and cease their violent activities.
These bandits had been responsible for unleashing chaos in Chikun, Kajuru, Kagarko, Giwa, and Birnin Gwari local government areas, using hideouts to launch assaults on communities and key highways, including the Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, and Funtua-Birnin Gwari routes.
Reports indicated that the peace agreement, which was reportedly brokered with the assistance of federal government agencies, led to the ‘surrender’ of several bandit leaders and their followers, who pledged to renounce violence and disarm. However, despite these strides toward peace, fresh reports emerged of an attack by bandits on Gyiya village in Chikun Local Government Area.
Local resident Bulus Luqman confirmed the incident, sharing updates on his Facebook page, with corroboration from a source in Damba village, located off the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road.
On Sunday morning, armed bandits stormed Alheri Baptist Church during a worship service, creating panic and chaos. The bandits, armed with weapons, abducted 16 worshippers and scattered the congregation. However, many others were able to escape, according to sources.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State had recently announced that a peace agreement had been reached with armed bandits, aiming to end banditry and kidnappings in the region. On Thursday, Governor Sani received the first group of repentant bandits and reopened a cattle market that had been closed for nearly a decade due to insecurity.
In November 2024, Governor Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness and justice for all residents, regardless of their occupation or background. To further this goal, the Kaduna State Government established “The Peace Dialogue Group,” in collaboration with federal agencies, which has been actively engaging stakeholders to promote peaceful coexistence among farmers, herders, and traders.
Governor Sani’s initiative seeks to address the root causes of conflict and foster an environment conducive to development. He stated that, through numerous meetings and extensive discussions, trust had been built, resulting in several senior bandit leaders laying down their arms and embracing peace, along with their followers.
The state government, in partnership with the federal government, has enrolled the ‘repentant’ bandits in a rehabilitation program designed to meet international standards of disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration, ensuring that they can return to society as productive citizens. However, the governor emphasized that this rehabilitation would operate on a principle of “carrot and stick.” He cautioned that while those who choose peace will be welcomed, decisive action would be taken against anyone who continues to perpetuate violence.
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