Residents of the Down Base and ECWA Staff communities in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau decried ongoing attacks and kidnappings in their communities on Friday in Jos.
When contacted by the News Agency of Nigeria, some of the residents raised the alarm (NAN).
According to NAN, over five people have been kidnapped in the communities in the last three weeks.
Before the victims were released, the kidnappers usually demanded millions of dollars in ransom.
Mr Aduda Kwumwot, a resident of the area, told NAN that residents of the communities have resorted to sleeping with their eyes open, while others have fled.
He claimed that the situation had thrown the communities into disarray, and that other residents had become concerned.
“The situation in this area is very frightening; all of a sudden, we awoke and realized that this place has become a hub for kidnappers.”
“Five people have been kidnapped in this area in three weeks; this place used to be peaceful, but we have found ourselves in a very difficult situation.”
“We hardly ever sleep at night or stay out late; some have abandoned their homes because these kidnappers usually arrive as early as 8 p.m.”
“We need the government to help us; we are poor people trying to survive hardship,” Kwumwot said.
Another resident, Mr Adonai Shuka, described the trend as concerning, claiming that the situation had traumatized residents.
“This is a very concerning trend; it has become a daily occurrence, leaving us traumatized and afraid to go out or sleep at night.”
“We had heard of kidnapping in neighboring states, but we had no idea it would come here so soon, and the experience has been terrible.”
“I am pleading with the government to act before they make this place uninhabitable for us,” he said.
Mr Vincent Onyeabu, for one, expressed surprise at how brazenly the kidnappers carry out their attacks.
According to Onyeabu, the ease with which the attackers operated left residents with no hope of assistance from security personnel.
“I’m perplexed as to how these kidnappers can attack at any time and without any hindrance; they come and go at will.”
“They usually come here on foot to pick their victims, then take them through the rocks behind us and disappear.”
“In addition to the five people kidnapped in the last three weeks, one person was killed and numerous others were injured.”
“These assailants killed a retired senior military officer in his home a few months ago.”
“We are afraid; our lives are in danger; we require assistance,” he stated emphatically.
According to ASP Ubah Ogaba, the Plateau Police Public Relations Officer, the police have put plans in place to deal with the situation.
He explained that more personnel had been sent to the area, and that night patrols had been increased.
Ogaba, on the other hand, urged residents to be security conscious and to report any suspicious movements in and around their neighborhoods to security agencies for prompt response.