By Salim Yunusa
Many travellers have been reported trapped on the Abuja-Kaduna highway as angry residents on the route have blocked the road to protest incessant attacks, especially the recent killing of a 13-year-old girl by bandits.
The tragic incident occurred at Anguwar Magaji in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Residents said that bandits stormed the house of the village head and abducted his family as well as other persons in the community.
Sahelian Times gathered that a resident of the area told Daily Trust that they were no longer safe at home and in their farms.
“We cannot go to our farms and yet they will follow us to our homes to abduct us for ransom. They killed a 13-year-old girl and a security man in the village as well as abducted other residents including the family of the village head,” a resident said.
He explained that the residents only want security or to be allowed to protect themselves against the bandits.
An eyewitness said that the protesters refused to listen to pleas from security personnel who had approached them.
The eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said that the protesters have been out on the road since 7:30am on Sunday.
“The villagers are very angry. They blocked the road and insisted that no one would pass through. When security personnel arrived the scene, the men withdrew leaving their women on the road.
“Some of the women were half-naked. The soldiers were just begging them to leave the road but the men cheered them on from the roadside.”
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Jalige Mohammed, said that the State Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri, has directed the police Area Commander to visit the scene of the protest and ensure orderliness.
He said that the police were trying to ensure that the road was open road users as they were meeting with the community leaders and the protesting youths to find amicable solution to the problem.
“There is an incident along the highway but we are trying to control the situation,” he assured.
