Communities in Southern Kaduna, particularly those in Kauru Local Government Area, have submitted an urgent petition to Governor Uba Sani and Nigeria’s top security officials, highlighting a disturbing surge in violence that has claimed 16 lives and seen 138 residents kidnapped between late November 2025 and early January 2026.

The petition, presented by Comrade Nasiru Jagaba on behalf of the affected communities, provides a detailed village-by-village account of the ongoing crisis, which residents describe as a “silent and neglected crisis.” The document underscores the grave and urgent nature of the situation and calls for immediate action from the state government and security agencies.

According to the petition, the village of Kabari (Gobirawa) was the hardest hit, with 53 people kidnapped and four killed. In Rumaya, 28 residents were abducted, and three killed, while Nasarawan Kadage saw 29 people kidnapped and two killed. Similar incidents were reported across other villages, with Kajunga (6 kidnapped, 2 killed), Fadan Rishiwa (8 kidnapped, 2 killed), and Darmanu (6 kidnapped, 2 killed) among the worst affected.

Other locations reported kidnappings and deaths, including Ningi Karku (7 kidnapped, 1 killed), Kagadama (6 kidnapped, 1 killed), and Danmaikogi (3 kidnapped, 1 killed). The petition also mentioned abductions in Rafin Iwa (8), Fagen Rawa (3), Unguwan Baka (3), and a lone victim still in captivity in Zaman Chawai.

The petition stresses the devastating impact on the local population, highlighting that the victims are not just statistics but vital members of the community—farmers, women, youths, and family breadwinners—whose lives have been shattered by the violence. The document accuses authorities of allowing Kauru to become a “forgotten graveyard,” with no decisive response to the ongoing attacks.

One of the most tragic incidents cited in the petition occurred on November 30, 2025, when the Chawai Youth Leader and six others were killed just metres away from a military checkpoint. The petition laments the “no immediate response” from security forces following the attack, further fueling the community’s sense of abandonment and neglect.

In addition to this, the petition sharply criticizes local leadership, particularly the Kauru LGA Chairman, for their “continued silence” and failure to advocate for the community. It also points to a lack of action from state and national lawmakers, which has deepened the sense of hopelessness and neglect among the people.

Represented by Comrade Nasiru Jagaba, the group is calling for urgent action from the authorities, including:

1. Immediate deployment of security personnel to the affected areas.
2. Intelligence-led raids on known criminal hideouts.
3. A public government plan to address the ongoing crisis.
4. An independent investigation into the November killings and accountability for the perpetrators.
5. Holding local and state officials accountable for their roles in allowing the situation to worsen.

Governor Uba Sani, in his previous remarks, has stressed a “whole-of-society approach” to tackling insecurity in the region. However, at the time of publication, neither the Kaduna State Government nor security agencies had responded to the petition, leaving residents feeling increasingly vulnerable and neglected.