Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese builds 20 solar-powered houses for banditry victims
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, in partnership with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), has built 20 solar-powered houses and constructed four community toilets for victims of banditry in Adama Dutse community, Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state.
The houses, each comprising one room and parlour apartment, were handed over to beneficiaries on Wednesday during an emotional ceremony attended by community members, church leaders, government officials and development partners.
Speaking at the event, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, said the intervention became necessary after residents whose homes and church were burnt by bandits refused to abandon their ancestral land and become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
According to him, the determination of the people to remain in their community despite the 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 the 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 to perform effectively.
Archbishop Ndagoso said government must intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, especially during the farming season, to allow farmers to 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.
The Archbishop also decried the poor state of social services in communities ravaged by insecurity, saying the school in Adama Dutse had become dilapidated and had remained without teachers for about five years, thereby denying children in the community access to proper education.
On the 2027 general elections, Archbishop Ndagoso 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 in his remarks, the chairman of Kajuru LGA, Dauda Madaki, described the event as a symbol of hope and restoration for the community.
Madaki said the intervention followed efforts by Archbishop Ndagoso, who mobilised support from international donors after visiting the community.
The chairman commended the Catholic Church for consistently supporting victims of attacks in Kajuru through relief materials and humanitarian assistance.
He also attributed recent improvements in security in the area to ongoing Kaduna peace model and government interventions.