Bandits on Sunday killed nine people including three infants in Zankoro and returned on Monday to kidnap 11 people and injure six others in Dan Kungi, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state, as residents raised alarm over incessant bandit activities in the area.
Chairman Birnin Gwari Emirates Progressives Union (BEPU), Barrister Salisu Haruna, said bandits have carried out series of killings and kidnappings in the area and along the Birnin Gwari – Kaduna and Birnin Gwari -Funtua highways.
He therefore called on Federal Government and Kaduna state government not to abandon the people of Birnin Gwari LGA, but to provide them with security support, noting that 40 people were kidnapped variously between December 20th, 2020 and January 4th, 2021 and are currently in bandits’ captivity.
According to him, “The New Year 2021 has began in a sorrowful and with tears for the people of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state. On Sunday, 3rd January, 2021, armed bandits lay siege on innocent travellers at Zankoro, along the dreaded Birnin Gwari – Kaduna Highway, killing nine people (including 3 infants) that are on their way to a ceremony at Doka, Birnin Gwari Local Government.
“Similarly, the bandits come out today Monday 4th January 2021 at the same Zankoro at about 9.00 am, shooting sporadically and abducted unspecified number of people and wounded six others that are now receiving treatment at Buruku along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Highway.
“In the last two weeks, bandits have been terrorising the people of Birnin Gwari, especially those travelling along Birnin Gwari-Funtua and Birnin Gwari Kaduna highways have become intensely aggressive, as they continue to kill and abduct innocent citizens unabated.
“With dismay, Birnin Gwari Progressives Union (BEPU) frowns at the seemingly laissez faire attitude towards banditry in Birnin Gwari area by the governments at all levels. From December 20th, 2020 to January 4th, 2021, bandits have mercilessly terrorized the people of Birnin Gwari kidnapping over 40 of them at homes, farms and during travels.
“The bandits have ruthlessly been killing the people of Birnin Gwari and the Kaduna state government has evidently chosen to take off her eyes from our pathetic situation, at least by acknowledging cases of abductions and serial killings.
“Hence, BEPU calls on the Kaduna state government to note that: there are cases of kidnappings and killings everyday along Birnin Gwari – Kaduna and Birnin Gwari – Funtua highways.
“There are more than 40 abductees currently at the mercy of the bandits who were kidnapped between 20th December 2020 and Monday 4th January 2021; some of them have been reported terribly ill.
“A total of nine innocent travelers were killed at Zankoro along Birnin Gwari – Kaduna highway on Sunday 3rd January 2021. A total of 11 people were kidnapped at Dan Kungi village on Sunday 3rd January 2021.
“BEPU therefore calls on the government to deploy immediate response squad to mount offensive operations along Birnin Gwari – Kaduna and Birnin Gwari – Funtua highways. We also urge the government to sit up to its responsibility and protect the lives and property of defenseless people of Birnin Gwari whose bloods are spilled daily by the bandits.
“We seriously urge the government to launch an offensive attack to neutralize bandits terrorising Birnin Gwari increasingly whose skills and warfare strategies are advanced every day. Enough is enough,” he said.
Meanwhile, when contacted to respond to the allegation of the neglect by Kaduna State Government, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan did not respond to phone call put across to him.
Similarly, Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman, ASP Muhammad Jalige did not respond to call to confirm the incident.

By AbdulGafar Alabelewe