Residents of the Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State have attributed recent Easter attacks on their community to alleged agreements between bandits and neighbouring settlements, insisting that their refusal to negotiate with criminals has made them a target.
The Village Head, Jashua Doka, told PUNCH Online that leaders from nearby communities who reportedly collaborated with bandits had repeatedly approached Ariko to consider negotiations, but the community 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, but I refused. If I negotiate with these terrorists and God calls me tomorrow, what will I tell Him? I fear God,” he said.
Doka claimed that the community’s stance has made it a target, as bandits see Ariko as resistant to their demands. He also criticised the government’s inadequate security response, noting repeated appeals for deployment of security personnel had yielded little action.
He added that bandits often use Ariko as a transit route to reach neighbouring communities that allegedly entered into agreements with them, further endangering residents. The Village Head expressed frustration over the release of individuals previously arrested for collaborating with bandits, saying it undermines the community’s efforts to resist criminal activity.
Despite these challenges, Ariko remains steadfast in refusing negotiations with terrorists, calling on the government to provide protection and justice for affected residents.
“We will not negotiate with terrorists. What we need is protection and justice,” Doka reiterated.