By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Dokan Karji community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State has flayed a report to allegedly discredit their plight as a result of attacks by bandits, and to discourage military intervention in the area.

Alhaji Aminu Khalid, Youth Leader Dokan Karji Community, in a statement, said leading newspapers had correctly reported the impunity of bandits operating in some of their beleaguered communities to the extent that they had now chased out everyone there and had taken over their areas unchallenged by the state.

“Among the Newspapers was Vanguard which aptly put out the headline of its report as: “Bandits Overrun 14 Communities in Southern Kaduna- Locals Allege.” The reporter who is not even from Southern Kaduna correctly reported the crimes against our people.”

However, the community alleged that a subsequent report by a local tabloid, instead of adding a voice to attract the attention of the top military brass, shockingly disparaged the report.

The community said it was disheartening and utterly reprehensible to read the reports, where the author did not indicate if he actually travelled to the communities said to be overrun by the bandits and discovered that they were still intact contrary to the Vanguard report.

“He didn’t even say whether he spoke to a community leader from there who said that the story was a lie or “over-exaggerated.”
So where is the information before him to come up with such a strong rebuttal?
How could the pains and sufferings of 14 communities which includes: Sabon gida libere, Maikudumi, Fili, Unguwan Nabara, Mahuta, Sabon layin kan’makama, Unguwan Isah, Ruwan sanyi, Unguwan Danja, Unguwan maizuma ,Unguwan zango, Unguwan gayya,Unguwan Garkuwa, Nasarawa, be dismissed as ” frivolous , utterly speculative . .and over-exaggerated” without a shred of convincing counter evidence?”

The community wondered if the Nigeria state owes no community any protection because its military is overstressed and overstretched and as such, communities shouldn’t bother the Nigerian military for intervention when besieged by enemies of the state.

“Is the defense of life and property not the first and major reason why a government exists?

They said the report could endanger the entire Kauru LGA as any alarm of security concern raised from that area may be seen as a lie and no authority may take their embattled citizens seriously. “This is even as the bandits have continued to occupy these 14 communities unchallenged even as we issue this press statement.”

“In his rejoinder, he mentioned that 26 hostages were rescued by the youth of Kwassam and he praised their valour and beckoned us to emulate them. Unknown to him, that was an incident that happened in Zakada community on November 14, 2024, at about 1:00 am where the 26 people kidnaped were rescued by our Youth (Dokan Karji).”

“Our youths didn’t just free the 26 hostages, the bandist suffered heavy casualties in the encounter with our youths. But what we are saying today is that they have massed up in much larger numbers and have more advanced armaments that our people have no choice than to move away. Our call in the various news outlets was to call for assistance from the state. Is it wrong for the government to chase out the bandits and reclaim our lands?”

“For a Southern Kaduna native to descend to such a.. level in the heat of atrocities against his fellow men is rather very sad and unfortunate.”

“It now behoves on the Nigeria military to launch an investigation into our claims and come out with its findings, if that is what it will take to send help to us.
As for Dokan Karji, we shall not be distracted or discouraged from pursuing the security, safety and well-being of our fatherland by every legitimate means, including publicity.”

“Finally, Nigeria and the world should not be misled by the unsympathetic and totally false narration.. as he has not shown any hint of humanity to our plight.”