From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Ruruma community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State has made a passionate appeal to the federal government to establish a military base in the area to halt the escalating and incessant killings and abductions of their people by bandits.
The Ruruma community made this appeal on Sunday in a press statement signed by its National President, Mr Daniel Dallah Peace, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna.
The President emphasised the need for a military formation in the area to ensure prompt action to restore security and protect lives and property, revealing that one of their own, a CBN Director, was once abducted in the area, and ₦300m was paid as ransom for his release.
Dallah emphasised that a military formation in Kwassam would help restore normalcy in surrounding vulnerable communities that have been displaced over the years, revealing that about a billion naira has so far been paid as ransom from these vulnerable communities, where 13 people were gruesomely killed, and over 200 were taken captive in the space of four months.
“The military formation in Kwassam will enable the communities that have been displaced to return to their ancestral land, where they have their farms and farm produce. Currently, our traditional leader, Chief Alh. Dauda Abdulsalam, the Pugom Kumana, for some years, has not been at home because of the attempt made on his life by the bandits,” Dallah stated.
The President wondered why the Executive Chairman of Kauru Local Government Area, who is also the Chief Security Officer of the people, completely exempted Kwassam and surrounding vulnerable communities in Kumana Chiefdom from his security reports presented to the GOC 3rd Division, Jos.
“Also, communities like Fagen Rawa, Kaibi, Kusheka, Fadan Ruruma, Rafin Rimi, Kitimi, Kakude, and Kiwollo have all been affected by the kidnappings and killings, while many residents of these communities have had to relocate to neighbouring communities for fear of being kidnapped or killed.”
He also explained that citing a military formation in Kwassam, the headquarters of Ruruma, would be strategic for its operations to help halt the incessant killings and abductions of locals, who are 99.9% farmers.
Mr Dallah further highlighted that these communities have witnessed setbacks due to the brutal killings of people during kidnappings, who were legitimately working on their farms, while attributing the development to a conspiracy to ensure poverty thrives in their areas.
“The creation of a military base in Kwassam, the headquarters of Ruruma Community, will serve the entire Kumana Chiefdom and other neighbouring communities like Dokan Karji, Sabon Gida Libere, Maikudumi, Fili, Unguwan Nabara, Mahuta, Sabon Layin, Kan’makama, Ungwan Isah, Ruwan Sanyi, Ungwan Danja, Ungwan Maizuma, Ungwan Zango, Ungwan Gayya, Ungwan Garkuwa, and Nasarawa, which do not have any military formation, not even a police division,” he stated.
He said the community is ready to donate their houses or facilities to the military once the formation is approved to start operations.
“We are appealing to the federal government to intensify efforts in supporting our Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, as he responds to our plight,” he added.
He assured the community’s 100% readiness to cooperate with the security agencies and government to end the menace in their communities.