By Ismail Auwal
Residents of Damari Town of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State are fleeing their communities as bandits kidnapped at least 50 persons in three days.
The Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), in a statement by its chairman, Ishaq Usman Kasai, said women and children were seen trekking for safety with about 20 vehicles seen conveying people out of the community.
“The union had reported two days ago, the cruel activities of bandits, killing and abducting people in Damari and adjourning areas.
“On Thursday, July 28, 2022, the bandits passed through the same Damari town shooting in the air sporadically and came back to the town in the early hours of Friday which is a market day, snatched motorcycles, seized money from marketers, rustled cattle and kidnapped scores, including a grain businesses man,” he said.
Ishaq said there was no presence of security agents in the town, adding that it was against this disturbing situation that they were calling on the authorities to urgently mobilise security personnel to the community.
A resident, who simply identified himself as Mohammad Kuyello, said: “It was really sad seeing our people abandon their farms. They’re also leaving their property. The bandits have taken over Damari as we speak because they’re going house to house carting away foodstuffs and people’s property as if there is no government.”
Over 100 vehicles were seen taking people to safety between Saturday and Sunday according to Daily Trust.
“People with their animals are still leaving as there’s no military presence. An influential medical personality, who has a hospital, mobilised troops who helped him evacuate his equipment from Damari.
“The implication is that people prefer terrorists to bandits and this is dangerous because, by the time the terrorists fully indoctrinate the people and change their perception, they would collectively turn against the state and the people who refuse to join them.
“Of course, there’s a military super camp at Mu’azu, but they’re yet to respond to the emergency… Maybe they’re waiting for something,” he said.
The attacks intensified after bandits dislodged members of the Ansaru terrorist group last week after a fierce fight.
Residents considered Ansaru members as a lesser evil than bandits who kidnap victims for ransom, steal property, or murder those who put up little resistance to their excesses.
Recently, the locals came under attack from bandits who surrounded the farming community on a “vengeance mission” following a fight with Ansaru terrorists last week.
Days after a horrific shootout with bandits that left both sides dead, the terrorists who had been defending the communities from the bandits had left the region.
The Ansaru fighters, according to sources, have relocated to Danmusa towns in Katsina State as well as to some areas of Zamfara and Sokoto states.
There was no official comment from the military, the police and the Kaduna State Government.