By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Residents of Kurmin Kaduna and neighbouring communities in Kaduna State have appealed to the Federal Government and security authorities to establish a permanent military presence in the area, following escalating attacks by suspected kidnappers and armed groups.
The residents, under the auspices of the Peace Revival Awareness, Kurmin Kaduna Chapter, said persistent attacks on homes, farms and major roads had created an atmosphere of fear and forced some families to abandon their communities.
In an urgent appeal addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Minister of Defence and senior security officials, the group said the worsening security situation had overwhelmed the capacity of community leaders and local vigilante groups.
Chairman of the group, Shu’lbu Kurmin Mashi, said residents had endured months of insecurity, with armed men allegedly invading communities at night, attacking farmers and abducting travellers.
“For several months now, our people have lived in constant fear. Armed men storm our homes at night. They attack farmers on their fields and block our roads,” Mashi said.
He added that the situation was also affecting education and livelihoods, as children were increasingly afraid to attend school while farmers could no longer access their farmlands without fear of attack.
According to the group, years of peacebuilding efforts through community sensitisation and dialogue were being undermined by the renewed wave of insecurity.
The organisation consequently called for immediate security measures, including the deployment of 24-hour military patrols and rapid-response teams to Kurmin Kaduna.
It also demanded the establishment of a permanent military base or police outpost in the community, alongside coordinated security operations to dismantle suspected bandit camps and hideouts in surrounding forests and border areas.
The group further urged security agencies to strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to improve intelligence gathering and community policing.
“We are not asking for too much. We are asking to live,” Mashi said, stressing that a sustained presence of security personnel would help restore confidence and enable residents to return safely to their farms, businesses and schools.
The appeal was also copied to the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command; the Director of the Department of State Services in Kaduna; and the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs.
The Peace Revival Awareness said it remained committed to promoting peace and would continue to support security agencies through public sensitisation, information sharing and community engagement.
The group described the security crisis as a “matter of life and death” for residents of Kurmin Kaduna and neighbouring communities, urging the authorities to act urgently before the situation deteriorates further.
