Residents of the Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State have blamed a recent wave of Easter attacks on alleged deals between bandits and some neighbouring communities, insisting that their refusal to negotiate with terrorists has made them a target.
The community, which was among those affected during the Easter attacks in parts of the state, said it had maintained a strict stance against any form of engagement with bandits despite mounting pressure.
The Village Head of Ariko, Jashua Doka, who spoke in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Online on Tuesday, said individuals from nearby communities who had allegedly aligned with the criminals had repeatedly approached Ariko leaders to encourage negotiations.
According to him, the community leadership rejected such overtures on moral and religious grounds.
“Some people who have aligned with these terrorists have been reaching out to us, urging us to negotiate with them, but I refused.
“If I negotiate with these terrorists and God calls me tomorrow, what will I tell Him? I fear God,” he said.
He disclosed that the decision not to negotiate had come at a cost, alleging that bandits now target Ariko because it is seen as resistant to their demands.“The terrorists attacking us are the same ones who have negotiated with some neighbouring communities. Because we refused, they now come after us,” he stated.
The traditional leader further lamented what he described as repeated appeals to government authorities for security intervention without commensurate response.
“We have written on several occasions, calling on the government to deploy security personnel to our community, but nothing significant has been done,” he said.
He explained that bandits often use Ariko as a transit route to neighbouring communities that have allegedly entered into agreements with them, a development he said has further exposed residents to danger.
“They usually pass through our community to those places that negotiated with them. In the process, they attack us,” he added.
The Village Head also raised concerns about the alleged release of individuals who had earlier been arrested for collaborating with bandits, warning that such actions undermine local efforts to resist criminal elements.
“There are names of people who negotiated with these terrorists that were submitted to the authorities in Kaduna. Some were arrested, but to our surprise, they were released. Now they mock us, saying they are back,” he alleged.
Despite the challenges, the community leader reaffirmed Ariko’s resolve not to negotiate with bandits, urging the government to intensify efforts to restore security and hold perpetrators accountable.
