A community youth leader in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state, Prince Kevin Bulus Bahago Kufana, has alleged that the persistent wave of banditry and kidnapping in Kajuru and Kachia communities is being sustained by local collaborators working with criminal groups.
Bahago, who described the situation as an “enemy within” problem, made the allegation in a statement he issued, where he called for urgent collective action by communities and security agencies to tackle insider collaboration.
According to him, while insecurity has remained a major crisis in Adara and Kuturmi communities since 2015, a major setback to ongoing efforts is the role allegedly being played by some residents who provide information and support to bandits.
“In some cases, communities have become collaborators with bandits rather than partners with government,” he said.
He alleged that both young and old persons in some communities have acted as informants, aiders and harbourers of criminal elements, adding that some locals had reportedly advanced from being informants to commanders of bandit groups.
“There is credible evidence that some locals have progressed from informants to commanders of bandit groups, working alongside criminal elements to terrorize and kidnap their own people for ransom,” he said.
Bahago specifically cited the case of one Jethro Bala, also known as Kachalla Buba, as an example of the alleged internal dimension of the security crisis.
The community leader also claimed that over 20 Adara communities, including Mai Ido, Paci, Isemen, Aburon, Yelwa, Gabachuwa, Impi Kadara, Kabode, Chibia and Sakwai, had reportedly entered peace arrangements with bandit groups.
According to him, the alleged pacts involve providing refuge, logistical support and information on security movements.
Despite the concerns, he acknowledged that there have been signs of improvement in the security situation under the administration of Governor Uba Sani.
He said some previously displaced communities are gradually returning home, while recent coordinated operations by security agencies have helped recover several communities along the Kurutu–Madaki Kurutu axis.
Bahago, however, maintained that lasting peace would only be possible if communities unite against internal collaborators.
“There is an urgent need to reassess our collective strategy for ending this crisis,” he said.
He called for the convening of an urgent security summit involving community leaders, residents and government officials to develop practical frameworks for confronting banditry and strengthening cooperation with security agencies.
He added that both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani have shown political will to support community-driven security initiatives, urging residents to seize the opportunity to restore peace in Kajuru and Kachia LGAs.
