Residents of Gonin-Gora, located in the troubled Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, took to the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway on Thursday, barricading the road in protest against the recent spate of kidnappings in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest erupted following an attack by kidnappers in the community during the late hours of Wednesday, lasting into the early hours of Thursday. The assailants reportedly abducted an unspecified number of residents, prompting outrage among the locals.
“The hoodlums operated uninterrupted for over four hours without any security operatives at sight. This forced the residents to come out this morning to protest the incident,” one eyewitness recounted.
Residents described a harrowing ordeal, awakened by the sound of gunfire as the bandits infiltrated the community, indiscriminately firing shots and abducting several individuals. The brazenness of the attackers, coupled with the perceived absence of security forces during the ordeal, incited the residents to take action.
In response to the blockade, the Joint Task Force swiftly deployed security operatives to the scene to manage the situation and restore traffic flow along the highway. However, the incident has left some residents fearful, with reports indicating that some have fled the community over concerns of further attacks.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has issued a warning against the obstruction of public roads and the harassment of innocent citizens in the wake of protests. Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, cautioned against vigilantism, emphasizing the importance of upholding law and order.
“The Kaduna State Security Council has warned against blockage of public roads and harassment of innocent citizens by persons conducting protests,” stated Commissioner Aruwan.
Acknowledging the disruption caused by the protests, the security council, comprising key officials from various security agencies, intervened to dismantle the roadblocks and ensure the resumption of normal traffic flow. The council expressed dissatisfaction with the obstruction of public infrastructure, emphasizing the rights of citizens and travelers to unimpeded access.
As of the latest security update, the affected area along the Kaduna-Abuja Road has been reopened for motorists, with no reported obstructions. The Kaduna State Police Command, represented by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident but refrained from providing further details, deferring to the address delivered by top security officials.
The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by communities along the Kaduna-Abuja corridor, where frequent bandit attacks and kidnappings have become a grave concern for residents and authorities alike. Despite efforts to bolster security measures, the persistence of such incidents highlights the need for sustained vigilance and coordinated action to safeguard vulnerable communities.
The blockade was subsequently dispersal by security forces.
