Islamization the Result of Unstoppable Criminal Predation
By TRUTHNIGERIA STAFF
Displaced Christian members of the embattled Adara tribe in Kajuru County, Kaduna State, have accused so-called “repentant” bandits—largely from the Fulani Muslim tribe—of orchestrating a surge in violent attacks on their communities in recent months.
This comes after Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, in November 2024, declared amnesty for armed Fulani militants responsible for mass killings, kidnappings, arson, community displacements, and extortion.
The controversial policy was widely criticized by individuals and groups across the region.
A Surge in Violence
Speaking exclusively to TruthNigeria in Maraban Kajuru town, Alipirin Ado, Chairman of the Kajuru Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, lamented the deteriorating security situation.
“After the 2023 general elections, attacks had significantly decreased in Adara land,” Ado said. “But after we heard on the radio that our governor had forgiven the bandits, we started witnessing a sudden surge in invasions, killings, and mass kidnappings.”
He noted that while attacks in Birnin Gwari and Chikun counties—previously hotspots of banditry—had diminished, Adara communities were now under siege.
“These bandits have simply relocated their operations, as if there was an understanding that they would not be disturbed elsewhere,” Ado said.
Since December 2024, attacks have reportedly become a daily occurrence, both during the day and at night. The typical ransom demanded for each hostages has skyrocketed from approximately ₦2 million ($1,400) to ₦10 million ($6,600).
“We still have hundreds of hostages in bandit camps across Kachia, Rijana, and Shiroro Dam in Niger State,” Ado added.
Communities in Flight
The travails of the majority-Christian Adara tribe who are the dominate population in Kajuru County, the frequent night-time raids by Islamist Fulani Ethnic Militia have been a regular misery for 10 years. The phenomenon is an illustration of gradual takeover of lands occupied by indigenous Christians who are being bullied and genocided by heavily armed and radicalized Fulani gunmen, according to analysts at UK-based Release International.
Moses Mathew, a native of Iri town in Idon Ward, corroborated Ado’s account.
“Since the governor granted amnesty, attacks on Adara land have intensified,” Mathew said. “All my neighboring communities have fled, unable to harvest their crops or tend to their livestock.”
He described desperate survival tactics: “Some villagers now sleep in trees or caves, only emerging at dawn to chase away thieves who steal from abandoned homes and farms.”
Janet Zakka, a displaced resident from Katura Station village, painted a grim picture.
“Since December 2024, the Fulani attackers no longer care if it’s day or night,” she said. “We women hide in the bushes with our children for days, too terrified to return home.”
Her faith remains her anchor. “We pray a lot. We believe that if Christ has not decreed our end, no evil can kill us.”
Terror in Captivity
Ladi Joel, a 36-year-old mother of five, recounted her harrowing experience after being kidnapped from her farm in Unguwan Barde on December 18.
“They beat us day and night, marching us for four days until we reached a bandit camp near Rijana,” she said.
Prisoners were subjected to constant brutality, chained, and fed only once a week on food “unfit for dogs.” She estimated that hundreds of hostages were held in multiple camps run by young, heavily armed Fulani boys.
Ms. Joel is among a second group of escapees of a large hostage camp in the forest near Rijana that has gained the reputation as a “death camp.” Despite multiple videotaped interviews with survivors by TruthNigeria reporters, no spokespersons for the Nigerian military or police have acknowledged their existence. TruthNigeria reporters whose calls to authorities are picked up are routinely refused.
After a month, she was moved to another camp near Shiroro, Niger State, where she endured another seven weeks of abuse. Her mother, Caroline Emmanuel, ultimately paid ₦6 million ($4,000), along with three expensive smartphones, foodstuffs, and a motorcycle worth $2,000, to secure her release.
“No one wanted to take the ransom to the bandits,” Caroline said, explaining the risks. “They often kidnap or kill the messengers.”
Determined to save her daughter, she delivered the ransom herself. “A young Fulani boy insulted me like a slave master, even threatening to kill me for ‘wasting their time,’” she said.
Joel was finally released on March 16, 2025 and is now recovering in a private hospital in Maraban Kajuru.
Government Silence
Efforts to obtain a comment from Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Barr. James Kanyip, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
The rising violence in Adara land raises serious concerns about the impact of the government’s amnesty policy, as communities continue to suffer under relentless attacks.
