Sustained security efforts in Kaduna yielding positive results – Group

A civic group, Southern Kaduna Patriots for Good Governance, has said sustained security efforts by the Federal and Kaduna state governments are yielding results, cautioning against narratives that, in its view, downplay recent gains while highlighting isolated incidents.

The group’s Convener, Edward John Auta, said the combined leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has led to intensified security operations that are gradually restoring public confidence across several parts of the state.

Auta was reacting to a petition by Comrade Nasiru Jagaba, submitted on behalf of concerned citizens of Kauru Local Government Area, which alleged a surge in kidnappings and killings in communities within Kumana and Chawai Chiefdoms. 

The petition claimed that dozens of residents had been abducted or killed in recent months, cited a November 30, 2025 incident near a military checkpoint, and called for urgent deployment of security forces, intelligence-led operations and greater accountability from elected representatives.

In a statement issued  in Kaduna, Auta said while the concerns raised in the petition were serious and deserved attention, presenting the situation as a total security collapse ignored ongoing operations and improvements recorded in other flashpoints across the state.

He said, “Sustained military offensives and inter-agency collaboration had weakened bandit and terrorist networks, led to the neutralisation of several key commanders and improved safety on major routes previously prone to attacks.”

According to him, Governor Uba Sani’s inclusive approach to governance has strengthened cooperation between government, security agencies and local communities, while initiatives such as the establishment of the Kaduna Vigilance Service and the recruitment of thousands of operatives have enhanced intelligence gathering and community policing.

Auta noted that highways and corridors such as the Kaduna–Abuja road, as well as parts of Chikun and Birnin Gwari, once notorious for kidnappings, are increasingly becoming safer for travel, farming and commercial activities.

He acknowledged that some communities in Kauru Local Government Area were still experiencing security challenges and said such areas required sustained attention and targeted operations. 

However, he cautioned against drawing broad conclusions from specific incidents without thorough investigation, particularly issues relating to security response and deployment.

The group also pointed to recent successes by security agencies, including the killing of several notorious bandit leaders, describing the operations as major blows to organised criminal networks operating in the region.

Auta urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies and called for stronger collaboration among Kaduna and neighbouring states to curb cross-border banditry, stressing that regional coordination remained critical to achieving lasting peace.

He added that while citizens had the right to raise concerns and demand protection, advocacy should be balanced with recognition of progress made and support for ongoing efforts to secure lives and property across Kaduna state.

COURTESY: Blueprint