Banditry: Gov Bala Asks Bauchi Villagers To Defend Selves

Disturbed by rising killings and attacks by suspected bandits and kidnappers in Alkaleri Forest, Governor Bala Mohammed has charged residents of the affected communities to rise up and defend themselves from attacks of the gunmen.

LEADERSHIP Friday gathered that in what appeared to be a reprisal attack, armed bandits have so far killed 20 people and wounded several others in villages surrounding Duguri District of Alkaleri LGA in Bauchi state.

A few weeks ago, Police in Bauchi in collaboration with local vigilantes stormed Alkaleri forest killing 12 suspected bandits including one of the kingpins that had terrorized the area.

The governor who visited the area on Thursday, described the situation as an unfortunate and unacceptable trend that must be stopped at all costs.

Speaking at the palace of the district head of Yelwan Duguri, the governor lamented that the activities of bandits in the area are getting out of hand as the people can no longer engage in farming which is their mainstay.

He charged the residents of the area to hanceforth, “rise up, take up arms and defend yourselves. You are known to be men, you should not allow these bad elements to subdue you, defend your land and liberate yourselves.”

The governor also charged the people to search themselves and bring out the bad eggs amongst them who are serving as informants to the bandits stressing that without inside information, the bandits cannot operate.

The governor assured that his administration will continue to work assiduously in collaboration with the security agencies operating in the state to  protect lives and properties of innocent citizens.

At Kafin Duguri, the governor commended the people for standing to defend themselves from the attacks of the bandits by wading them when they attempted to invade the village.

The governor told them to take up arms against the bandits and kill them if they try to attack saying, “I know you people to be warriors including your women, rise up, defend your people and the neighborhood from the activities of the bandits.