The Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, in partnership with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), has built 20 solar-powered houses and four community toilets for victims of banditry in Adama Dutse, Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State.
The houses, each comprising a one-room-and-parlour apartment, were handed over to the beneficiaries during an emotional ceremony attended by community members, church leaders, government officials and development partners.
At the event, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, said the intervention became necessary after the residents whose homes and church were destroyed by bandits refused to abandon their ancestral land and became internally displaced persons (IDPs).
According to him, the determination of the people to remain in their community despite repeated attacks inspired the church and its partners to support them in rebuilding their homes.
“We were touched when the people of Adama Dutse said they did not want to become IDPs or beggars. Their houses and church were burnt, but they remained determined to stay on their land. That was why we sought assistance to rebuild the houses destroyed by bandits,” he said.
Ndagoso, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), called on the Federal Government to prioritise security across the country, insisting that Nigerians had endured insecurity for too long.
He said the welfare of security personnel must also be improved to enable them perform effectively.
The Archbishop urged government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, especially during the farming season, to allow farmers return safely to their farms without fear of attacks.
He stressed that although government claimed to be doing its best, Nigerians expected stronger and more effective action against insecurity.
Ndagoso also decried the poor state of social services in communities ravaged by insecurity, noting that the school in Adama Dutse had become dilapidated and had remained without teachers for about five years, thereby denying children access to proper education.
On the 2027 general elections, the Archbishop expressed concern over alleged imposition of candidates and vote-buying during ongoing party primary elections.
He urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the electoral process.
Earlier, the chairman of Kajuru local government area (LGA), Dauda Madaki, described the event as a symbol of hope and restoration for the community.
