*Governorship Candidate, Human Rights Body Blast Govt, Pastors, Imams Over Silence
*’They Sleep With One Eye Open; They Cannot Go To Farms, They Cannot Travel Freely, They Cannot Even Sleep In Peace In Their Homes’
*’Kaduna Cannot Be Secured By Press Statements; It’ll Be Secured By Deliberate, Inclusive, Sustained Action’
*’Where Are The Pastors, Imams Who Pray At Every Government House Event? Silent; Where Are All The Government Appointees Enjoying Security Votes And Convoys? Silent’
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
It appears insecurity is creeping back into Kaduna State, the northern political capital, with rising incidents of kidnapping, killings and fresh round of fear gripping residents of the State who suffered similar experiences and trauma during the past administration of Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Residents are aghast and disappointed at what they call government’s new stance of alleged silence over the worrying security situation, urging it to stand up and perform its primary constitutional duty of protection of the lives and properties of the people, even as the government often said it was doing its best to contain the new upsurge.
Following one of the latest incidents during which four persons were reportedly abducted in Millennium City, Kaduna, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Kaduna State, Hon. Usman Shehu Bawa, popularly known as ABG, rose up in condemnation of the fresh attack, describing it as one too many.
His position on the matter came as popular rights body, Eagle Brain Human Rights Organization, blasted the State government and others for alleged silence over the matter which, it noted, is becoming a fresh thorn in the public flesh.
In a press statement yesterday through his spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, Bawa expressed ”deep sadness and concern” over reports of the attack which took place in Rahusa Estate located in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
According to the statement, the incident occurred around 11pm on Monday, 6 October, 2026, when suspected kidnappers raided the estate and abducted the four.
The PDP candidate noted that the attack is coming barely one week after a similar invasion in Babban Saura PW community, where one person was reportedly killed, several others abducted and still in captivity.
Bawa lamented that residents of Millennium City and indeed the entire state continue to live in perpetual fear and a sense of abandonment.
“They sleep with one eye open. They cannot go to their farms, they cannot travel freely, they cannot even sleep in peace in their homes,” he stated.
While commending gallant security personnel who, he noted, continued to risk their lives confronting kidnappers and other criminal elements, Bawa stressed that commendation alone is not enough and called on the state government to show leadership beyond paper claims.
“The State Government must move beyond claims of securing the state on paper and show leadership on the ground. The primary responsibility of any government is the security and welfare of its people,” he stressed.
Bawa urged the State government to immediately deploy more security presence to Millennium City and other vulnerable communities in Chikun and environs, work with estate associations to provide street lights, patrol vehicles and emergency communication lines, and ensure the swift and safe rescue of all abducted victims from Rahusa Estate and Babban Saura PW.
He also called for the facilitation of security outfits in all soft target communities and the engaging and adequate equipping of vigilante groups.
“Kaduna cannot be secured by press statements. It will be secured by deliberate, inclusive and sustained action. Under our PEOPLE AGENDA administration, In Shaa Allah, we will make community security the foundation of governance; where every citizen is part of the security architecture.
“This is one attack too many. Our people deserve better. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the abducted and the bereaved,” the statement concluded.
Eagle Brain Rights Group Blasts State Govt, Others
In a related development, Eagle Brain Human Rights Organization, blasted the State government and others over silence amid rising kidnapping in the North-Central State.
Eagle Brain accused the government, political and religious leaders of betrayal over what it described as a loud and shameful silence in the face of rising kidnappings across communities in the state.
In a statement issued by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Comrade Daniel Ejembi, the group said it was appalled and deeply saddened by the recent wave of abductions affecting farmers, traders, women, children and breadwinners.
According to the organization, families of victims have been traumatized and forced to sell their belongings to pay ransom, while those elected and appointed to protect them have remained silent.
“Where is the government? No statement from the Governor. No statement from any government official. Where are the government-sponsored social media voices that are usually loud when defending failure? Silent. Where are the political sycophants and praise singers? Silent,” the statement queried.
The group also questioned the silence of religious leaders, asking: “Where are the pastors and Imams who pray at every Government House event? Silent. Where are all the government appointees enjoying security votes and convoys? Silent.”
The organization said the perceived conspiracy of silence has shown that personal and political interests have been prioritized above the lives of citizens.
“You have millions to mobilize for solidarity marches on the streets. You have data to trend propaganda on all social media handles. But you have no voice to condemn kidnapping, no empathy to visit victims’ families, no plan to secure our people,” Ejembi said.
The rights group warned that citizens are watching the response of authorities to the security crisis.
“Let it be known today that Kaduna citizens are watching. Nigerians are watching. The world is watching. The blood of the innocent cries for justice. And the people will speak, loud and clear, at the appropriate time — at the ballot, in the streets, and before history,” the statement added.
The rights body therefore demanded an immediate and public statement from the State Government condemning the kidnappings, immediate deployment of security personnel to affected areas, a comprehensive plan to rescue all abducted citizens unconditionally, and support for families of victims.
“Security is not a privilege, it is the first duty of government. Failure to protect lives is failure of leadership. Enough of the silence!” the group declared.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Sani of Kaduna State…under fire.
