Security sources have revealed that escalating banditry and kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighboring states are linked to criminal activities centered in the Kajuru forest of Southern Kaduna.
The forest, once a military training ground, has been abandoned, providing a haven for criminals to plan and execute operations.
A military source expressed concern that the bandits, aware of nationwide efforts against terrorism, have moved into Kajuru forest to strategize before carrying out attacks. The source mentioned that despite previous military successes in the area, the criminals returned, taking advantage of the absence of a consistent military presence.
The military sources told Punch: “Kidnappers and other criminals terrorising the Federal Capital Territory are presently camped in the Kajuru forest. Kajuru is the headquarters of the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The forest has become a haven for bandits and kidnappers.
“In fact, the military had killed and arrested scores of these criminal elements in the area in the past. But you see, the more they are arrested, the more they return since the military has abandoned their camp in the town.
“If you can recall, many people were killed here during the reign of former governor Nasir El-Rufai. In fact, there was a day when militants killed 32 civilians in four villages in the Kajuru Local Government Area.
“Kajuru was carved out of Chikun Local Government Area in March 1997 by the military administration of General Sani Abacha.”
Speaking further, the source disclosed, “The numerous killings forced the military to have a temporary camp there, where they were strategising on how to dislodge the criminals and actually did well for the people. But since their departure after the initial return of peace to the area, terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits have taken over the area.
“They move freely in the town and other forests within the area. You know Southern Kaduna has a lot of forests. The bandits, having known that the military is waging a serious war against terrorists across the country, have now moved to Kajuru, where they live and meet to strategies before moving to the Federal Capital Territory and other towns to kidnap people for ransom.
“They are heavily armed with the intention to kill anyone who obstructs them from getting to their targets.
“Troops just come here once in a while but disappear as soon as soon as they are done with their operations. They come there to plan or when they have operations to conduct in places not too far from here.”
The military had previously utilised the area as a temporary camp to combat criminal elements in the region, achieving initial success in restoring peace.
Responding to the claims, the Defence Headquarters asserted that the Kajuru training area is actively used for training troops and launching special operations.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, emphasised that the Nigerian Army still makes effective use of the training area.
“Indeed, the Nigerian Army still makes effective use of all its training areas. The specific nature of training is conducted on terrains that meet the requirements of such training.
“Accordingly, the Kajuru training area is still very much in use and currently serves as a staging area for our Forward Operating Base in Kajuru,” the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed.
However, concerns persist among security circles regarding the increasing activities of bandits in the region, raising questions about the efficacy of current security measures in addressing the evolving threat.