Residents of Gonin-Gora in the troubled Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State took to the streets on Thursday, blocking the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway in protest of the abduction of several individuals in the area. The residents, fed up with the incessant attacks by bandits, demanded action from the government.
Eyewitnesses reported that kidnappers had struck the community from Wednesday night into Thursday morning, terrorizing the residents and taking them captive. The brazenness of the criminals, who operated for hours without any security presence, prompted the community to rally together in protest.
“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 shared.
The Joint Task Force of security operatives eventually arrived to manage the situation and ease traffic flow on the highway. However, some residents had already fled the area out of fear of further attacks.
In response to the protest, the state government cautioned against vigilantism, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands. The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, emphasized the importance of maintaining public order and safety.
The Kaduna State Security Council, comprising top security officials, intervened to dismantle the roadblocks set up by the protesters and restore normalcy to the area. The council expressed concern over the disruption caused by the blockade, emphasizing the rights of citizens and travelers to access public roads without obstruction.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the abduction and subsequent protest, authorities continue to investigate the incident. The police have provided updates on the situation but have refrained from disclosing further details at this time.
The resilience of the residents in Gonin-Gora serves as a reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced by communities in Kaduna State and the urgent need for effective measures to combat criminal activities in the region.
