Residents of Kaso, a largely Gbagyi community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Saturday staged a protest over what they described as sustained bandit attacks that have displaced at least 18 surrounding villages and forced the closure of 13 public primary schools.
The protesters, who gathered at Maraban Rido, accused armed groups operating around Rido, Kujama, Kakau-Abuja Road axis and parts of Kajuru LGA of unleashing renewed violence that has crippled farming, education and healthcare services across the area.
Speaking during the protest, leader of the Kaso Youth Forum, Mr Obadiah Baba Kasoiza, said the community had suffered repeated attacks over the last three months, resulting in killings, kidnappings and mass displacement.
“Between November 2025 and now, lives have been lost, nearly 30 motorcycles have been seized and over 50 people were kidnapped in December alone. Millions of naira were paid as ransom before some victims were released,” Kasoiza said.
He added that fresh abductions recorded in January and early February had left several residents still in captivity, warning that confidence in government protection had been badly shaken.
“As it stands, our people are demoralised. Our hope of returning to farms in the coming planting season is uncertain,” he said.
According to him, insecurity in Kaso and adjoining communities began about a decade ago, worsening during the previous administration, with homes, churches and mosques destroyed during repeated raids.
He said hundreds of motorcycles had been stolen or surrendered to bandits as ransom, while millions of naira had been paid to secure the release of abducted residents.
Kasoiza disclosed that at least 25 per cent of residents of Maraban Rido and about 20 per cent of those in Kujama were displaced persons from Kaso who were eager to return to their ancestral homes but were restrained by fear.
He also lamented that socio-economic life in the area had ground to a halt, noting that all primary healthcare centres had stopped functioning, while schools remained shut due to security concerns.
The protesters called on Governor Uba Sani to urgently deploy a military strike force to Kurmin Kaso and its environs to stem the violence and enable displaced residents to return home.
They also urged security agencies to step up patrols around farming communities on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis, warning that continued attacks could worsen food insecurity in the state.
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