Residents of Kauru Local Government Area in Kaduna State have expressed deep appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Nigerian military for sustained counter-terrorism operations that have dismantled criminal hideouts and restored relative peace to previously violence-stricken communities.
For years, villages such as Dokan Karji and Kwassam were repeatedly targeted by bandits, forcing many inhabitants to flee. However, community leaders now report that the renewed military offensive has significantly curtailed criminal activities, allowing displaced residents to return and rebuild their lives.
Kauru, which shares boundaries with nine local government areas—including parts of Plateau State—has long been regarded as one of the flashpoints of rural insecurity in Kaduna. Its expansive and rugged terrain, coupled with its strategic location, had made effective security patrols difficult.
In a joint statement, Hon. Aminu Khalid, Chairman of the Dokan Karji Security Committee, and Alhaji Tukur Hussaini, Chairman of the Kwassam Security Committee, commended the military for its recent successes.
“The intervention of troops in combing terrorists’ camps within Dokan Karji and other parts of Kauru has brought a remarkable level of calm to our communities. Many villagers who previously abandoned their homes due to banditry have now returned,” the statement read.
The leaders acknowledged that while peace has largely been restored, challenges still remain. They cited the August 24, 2025, attack on Ungwan Rimi community—where seven people were killed and several others injured—as a painful reminder that vigilance is still necessary.
Despite such setbacks, they stressed that villages once devastated by insecurity are gradually coming back to life, with farming activities resuming and local markets reopening. Khalid noted that these signs of recovery highlight the importance of sustaining military presence in the area.
The community leaders appealed for additional troop deployment, especially ahead of the dry season, a period when criminal groups often attempt to reorganize and launch fresh attacks. They also expressed gratitude to senior military officers and field commanders operating in Samaru Kataf, Dokan Karji, and Kwassam for their roles in securing the region.
According to the leaders, plans are underway to pay courtesy visits to top military and political leaders as a gesture of appreciation while pressing for more deployments in vulnerable locations such as Geshere, Kusheka, and Binawa in Kumana Chiefdom, as well as Kamaru, Badurum, and Rahama in Chawai Chiefdom.
Security sources confirmed that the military has in recent months intensified coordinated air and ground offensives across Kaduna State, particularly in the southern and central senatorial zones. The broader strategy, they said, is aimed at dismantling terrorist cells and securing farming communities in preparation for the harvest season.
