Residents of Gonin-Gora in the restive Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State took to the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway on Thursday, blocking the road to protest the recent abduction of an unspecified number of individuals in their community. The demonstrators called on the government to address the persistent attacks by bandits in the area.
According to a witness, armed kidnappers raided the community from Wednesday night into the early hours of Thursday, seizing an undisclosed number of residents. The Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident but provided no further details.
An eyewitness, who is also a resident, recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the criminals operated for over four hours without any visible security presence. Gunshots rang out as the bandits entered the community, indiscriminately firing and abducting several residents.
In response to the situation, the Joint Task Force of security operatives was deployed to the scene to manage traffic congestion. Some residents reportedly fled the area in fear of a possible return by the bandits.
However, the state government issued a warning, cautioning against citizens taking the law into their own hands by blocking roads and harassing others. Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, emphasized that such actions infringe on the rights of innocent citizens and travelers.
Aruwan disclosed that the Kaduna State Security Council, comprising key security officials, dismantled the roadblocks erected by protesters, ensuring the free flow of traffic along the Kaduna-Abuja Road. The Council expressed dissatisfaction with the road blockages, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public order.
As of the latest security update, commuters and motorists can now travel through the Gonin-Gora axis without obstruction. The government urged residents to cooperate with security forces and avoid resorting to unlawful actions in response to security challenges.
