By Amos Tauna
A group under the auspices of Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, says their community is under siege by armed bandits, rapists, cattle rustlers and kidnappers.
The group therefore appealed to the Governor Nasir El-Rufai to urgently take decisive action concerning what it describes as alarming security situation in the area which is threatening their lives.
In a letter to governor El-Rufai, jointly signed by the Chairman, Security Sub-Committee of the Union, Muazu Idris and the President, Murtala Abdullahi and copied security agencies, as well as other relevant stakeholders, the Union lamented that “Reports have it that in Doka village and kungi-gari (15km away from Birnin Gear town) bandits attend markets brandishing AK47 riffles in the open without any challenge by security agents.
“About two weeks ago, they abducted a member of Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Birnin Gwari. Furthermore, on Friday 15th June 2017, two female students of Kaduna State College of Midwifery and staff were abducted, another batch of three were kidnapped 10km from Kaduna on the way to Birnin Gwari at gun point with parents and well wishers made to pay huge ransom largely determined by the criminals to secure their release .
“About three weeks ago, a car conveying NYSC members was intercepted along Birnin Gwari -Funtua axis and all the female Corps members were allegedly raped by the bandits.
“Regrettably, observers are of the opinion that the modus operandi of these hoodlums which often involved the use of military fatigues, possession of assault weapons and organizing themselves into camps in the surrounding forest reserve bears resemblance with that of Boko Haram insurgents.
“At present, our ancestral town of Birnin Gwari is encircled by blood thirsty gangs moving freely from one end of the forest to the other across Jenni, Zamfara and Niger states with Birnin Gwari town as the ultimate target if proactive and pragmatic approach to quelling the menace urgently.
“We therefore appeal to His Excellency to use his good office to declare state of emergency and devote time and resources to save us of this harrowing scenarios as failure to urgently act will not only cripple us economically but pose serious security threat that will be difficult to curtail,” the letter reads.
