Half-naked Women Lament Killing Of 13-year-old, Block Kaduna-Abuja Highway Over Banditry

Following a protest by hundreds of residents, including half-naked women, who blocked the road in indignation over the reported killing of a 13-year-old by bandits, the police in Kaduna state have deployed their agents to restore order and allow travelers to continue on the Kaduna-Abuja dual carriageway.

Residents of Sabo Gaya, one of the towns targeted by bandits near the NYSC camp along the highway, wept a few days ago over the huge departure from the area as a result of the bandits’ constant attacks and kidnappings.

A resident bemoaned the lack of protection, stating that bandits went from house to house abducting a Yoruba trader and her children before fleeing with their loot.

” The bandits wanted to abduct the newly wed daughter but the women resisted ,insisting she was her only child and will not bear the brunt of losing her.So the bandits went with both mother and her daughter, ‘ he said.

On Saturday , travellers were forced to cut their journey on the Abuja-Kaduna highway as protesting locals blocked the road.

According to a source ,” the protesters are not happy over the killing of a 13-year-old girl by bandits. at Anguwan Magaji in Chikun Local Government Area.

“The bandits stormed the house of the village head and abducted his family as well as other persons in the area.The bandits have stopped us from going to our farms and now they are coming to our houses to kidnap us.”

“They killed a 13-year-old girl, a guard man in the village and kidnapped our people. The Mai Anguwa family ,too,” he said.

He explained that the residents only wanted security or to be allowed to protect themselves against the bandits.

He said that the protesters were so angry and had refused to listen to any plea to free the road.

It was gathered that on the arrival of the police and soldiers,the men left the scene, leaving their womenfolk who continued the protest ,some half naked.

While the security agents were pleading with the women to allow a free flow of traffic ,the men were heard encouraging the women ,some meters away.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Kaduna, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said the Area Commander has been directed to restore law and order in the area.

“We are trying to ensure that the road is open to allow road users access.We are meeting the community leaders and the protesting youths to discuss the problem.There is an incident along the highway but we are trying to control the situation,” he said.