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A group of impoverished farmers in Kaduna State has raised alarm that so-called repentant bandits have resumed terrorising their communities and stealing their cattle.
In a desperate Save Our Soul (SOS) message, the farmers from Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas called on authorities to investigate and stop the renewed criminal activities being carried out by some ‘repentant bandits’ operating around the Kaduna Airport axis.
A representative for the farmers provided a breakdown of the stolen cattle via a WhatsApp platform, stating that the ‘repentant bandits’ are responsible for the thefts in Kadi village and other villages located off the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road in Chikun Local Government Area.
The breakdown of losses shows that the farmers lost a total of 97 cattle in just one week. According to them, Alhaji Abdullahi Mubari lost 47 cows, Bawa Abubakar lost 32, Dankawu Malam Bube lost 8, while Abdullahi Jafaru lost 10.
They urged the authorities to intervene urgently to address their worsening situation.
“Despite being celebrated as a success story of the ‘Kaduna Peace Model,’ these ‘repentant bandits’ continue to kidnap, kill, and rustle cattle with impunity, while the government appears to turn a blind eye,” the farmers’ representative said.
The ‘Kaduna Peace Model’ is Governor Uba Sani’s framework for tackling insecurity in Kaduna State since 2023, built on inclusive governance, grassroots engagement, and rural transformation rather than relying solely on military force.
Kaduna had long been plagued by banditry, kidnappings, farmer–herder clashes, and communal violence. The state was considered one of Nigeria’s most volatile regions.
On November 11, 2025, Governor Sani outlined the model at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, describing it as a grounded, experience-backed approach to restoring peace.
