Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) has commended the government and the gallant Nigerian troops on the renewed effort towards combating insecurity in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State but stressed that the western part of the local government has become an escape route for bandits from Zamfara and Niger states.
The union said it has witnessed that the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army Kaduna personally led a team of gallant troops and went on ground surveillance on Wednesday 31st August, 2022 through Kaduna to Birnin-Gwari and Birnin-Gwari to Funtua roads respectively where some successes were recorded including neutralizing and arresting of some bandits who were intercepted in some communities.
to the chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union, Ishaq Usman Kasai, the effort is commendable and hailed the government and the Nigerian troops for this renewed move in combating insecurity in the area.
He said the union is happy to observe that more security personnel are mobilised around Kaduna to Birnin-Gwari road, stressing that it has significantly reduced tension adding that it is a welcomed move towards addressing problem of persistent attacks on travellers along Birnin-Gwari to Kaduna Road.
“Regrettably, BEPU observes that the bandits blocked Birnin-Gwari to Funtua road following the earlier surveillance by the GOC and his team. The bandits blocked the road since Thursday, 1st September, 2022 which coincide with Birnin-Gwari market day, killed a commercial driver and kidnapped scores of travellers who are yet to be freed. The road is still a no-transit zone.
“As it is now, most communities that are along that road such as Kwasa-kwasa, Marabar Kwasa-kwasa, Nacibi, Farin Ruwa among others are being deserted for fear of any eventuality.
“Again, the bandits attacked Damari community on Tuesday 3rd September, 2022 by 10:00pm where one person was killed and shops looted. This came after the people who were sacked by bandits earlier in August have started returning to the community.
“Layin Lasan Community was also attacked by the same bandits in the evening on Sunday,4th September, 2022 where scores of residents were kidnapped and moved to neighbouring forests. Various communities are continued to be attacked by armed bandits silently and unreported.
“This therefore means that, though security personnel were mobilized particularly on Kaduna to Birnin-Gwari road which is addressing the level of attacks of travellers on the road, insecurity is worsening along Birnin-Gwari to Funtua road and in many communities particularly in the Eastern part of the Local Government.
“Strategically, there is significant need for mobilization of troops to the Western part of Birnin-Gwari particularly in the Kakangi and Randagi axis which shares boundaries with Zamfara and Niger states. This is necessary because it has become the escaping routes for the bandits. In fact, many of these bandits are camping in the Mashigi axis, occupying some sacked communities. We, therefore, call on government to emphasize more on actions.
“While appreciating and commending the renewed effort of Government and our gallant troops, we are appealing for extension of the operation to the terrorists’ hideouts in the forests for restoration of peace for people to live in their communities without fear and intimidation. This is also necessary in order to provide opportunity for conduct of 2023 general elections in the area and for the people to exercise their election franchise,” he said.
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