A community leader in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State has expressed concern over the alleged role of internal collaborators in fuelling banditry and kidnapping across parts of Southern Kaduna.
In a statement, Prince Kevin Bulus Bahago Kufana said insecurity in Kajuru and Kachia LGAs, which dates back to 2015, has continued to evolve, stressing the need for a new approach to tackling the crisis.
He referenced a recent attack on Ariko community, where six persons were reportedly killed and 37 others abducted, describing it as a reminder of the persistent threat in the area.
Kufana noted that although the government has the constitutional mandate to ensure security, achieving lasting peace would require stronger cooperation between authorities and local communities.
According to him, the pattern of violence has shifted from mass killings to abductions for ransom, with fewer fatalities recorded in recent times.
He, however, acknowledged signs of gradual improvement, noting that some displaced communities had begun returning, while farming and trading activities were slowly picking up.
The community leader disclosed that the number of displaced Adara communities had dropped from over 130 in May 2023 to about 74 as of early 2026, attributing the development to ongoing security operations and peace-building efforts by the state government.
Despite the progress, Kufana warned that internal sabotage remains a major challenge, alleging that some residents serve as informants and collaborators for bandit groups.
He claimed that certain individuals within the communities had risen through the ranks of criminal gangs, thereby complicating efforts to restore peace.
Kufana further alleged that some communities had entered into informal arrangements with bandits, offering support and information in exchange for temporary safety.
He also decried what he described as the silence of local elites, urging stakeholders to look inward rather than placing the blame solely on government.
He pointed out that areas such as Kauru, Kaura and Zangon Kataf had recorded improvements by strengthening community vigilance and working closely with security agencies.
The community leader called for the convening of a security summit aimed at addressing internal collaboration and improving coordination with authorities.
He urged residents to support ongoing efforts by both the Federal and Kaduna State governments to restore peace in the region.
Kufana added that tackling internal sabotage and promoting community-driven security measures would be key to ending the cycle of violence and reviving economic activities in Southern Kaduna.
