By Safiyan Ladan
For the first time in 2019, I heard the heinous activities of Armed Bandits tossing their noses around Zaria and environs. It was at that time this time that Malama Rabi Shamaki, a lecturer with English department at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic was kidnapped.
On that fateful day, Malama Rabi was supposed to co-invingilate an IJMB students with me as they were writing their mocked exams, only to learnt in the morning that she was kidnapped in her house located within the premises of the school the previous night.
She later regained her freedom after spending two weeks in the kidnapper’s dens and ransom was paid.
Since that time, armed bandits have been wrecking havoc in places like Madaci, Nagoyi and most recently Kuregu.
Madaci being in close proximity to Kidadan where the notorious activity of the bandits reached it’s climax point, has turned to their hotbed and soon the place becomes a no go area and many people fled their houses in search of more secured places.
At beginning of this year, the heartless and murderous bandits hit hard at Kuregu, kidnapped a Professor of Abubukar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and in the process killed his 15 year old son. He later got freedom having spending 25 days with them and huge amount of money were paid as ransom.
A week after they came back, killed a soldier, burnt their car and kidnapped five family members and as a result of that many residents of the area abandoned their houses and relocated to other places.
Ahamdu Bello University, Zaria Samaru Campus had on two several occasions witnessed such devilish acts. The narratives on how a Professor and his family were kidnapped are still fresh our memories.
They invaded the house of the said professor abduct him and his family and soon after the invasion security agents were mobilized to the scene and exchanged gun duel battle with the dreaded bandits and as such his wife and daughter were rescued.
Before getting his freedom the traumatized professor had to paid for the bullets they (bandits) have wasted while taking him into their custody.
With the recent attacks on low cost community an outskirt of Zaria city where about 4 people are abducted yesterday’s night even though two suspected kidnappers were also apprehended. It’s now apparent that Zaria residents are at the mercy of bandits.
It’s high time for government to come up with a new strategies with a clear mandate of securing the lives and property of the citizens.
Safiyanu Ladan writes from Zaria
