Suspected bandits who abducted four Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maraban Rido, Chikun local government area of Kaduna State, have contacted the community to confirm that the victims are in their custody.
The IDP coordinator of Maraban Rido, Sule Adams, told LEADERSHIP Sunday in a follow-up interview that the abductors called to inform the community that the four victims were with them.
It would be recalled that six IDPs were abducted on Friday, November 13, while on their way to their farmlands in Anguwan Baijuwa, Kaso, with two later released by their captors due to health conditions, leaving four in captivity.
Adams said the development has not eased the anxiety among displaced persons, particularly those who were yet to harvest their crops because of insecurity around their farmlands.
He explained that many IDPs were afraid to return to their farms, while those who had yet to harvest their crops were worried about losing the produce in which they had invested their limited resources.
According to him, farming remains the major source of livelihood for many displaced families, who depend on their harvest to feed their children and meet other household needs.
He said the situation has left some families struggling to provide for their children, including those preparing for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations but unable to afford the registration fees.
Adams appealed to the government to provide secure farmland for the displaced persons if the insecurity preventing them from safely accessing their existing farms could not be addressed.
He added that providing alternative farmland would enable them to resume farming, rebuild their livelihoods and provide for their families without the constant fear of attacks.