Residents Cry Out As Bandit Attacks Escalate In Kano

Residents of Shanono local government area in Kano State have raised the alarm over recurring attacks by armed bandits, who they said have continued to terrorise Faruruwa and neighbouring communities for the past three years.

Speaking during a press briefing in Kano on Thursday, chairman of the Faruruwa Security Committee, Yahaya Umar Bagobiri, said the attackers, believed to be coming from neighbouring Katsina State, had been killing residents, kidnapping people for ransom, and carting away livestock.

“We have been facing serious security challenges for the past three years. Bandits have been coming from Katsina (State) into Faruruwa and its surrounding areas to kill, kidnap, and steal our animals,” Bagobiri lamented.

According to him, the attacks have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, and theft of livestock.

“At least 150 cows have so far been taken, and the bandits usually come on motorcycles, sometimes up to 50 of them, to kidnap people, kill residents, or steal animals,” he said.

Bagobiri disclosed that since 2022, the community has lost over 1,600 cows, dozens of motorcycles, and other valuable properties to the incessant attacks.

He warned that unless urgent measures were taken, the entire border communities risk being completely overrun by bandits.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to urgently deploy more security operatives to the area, warning that the situation could worsen if not addressed.

“We are calling on the federal and state governments, particularly Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to assist us and work closely with the security agencies, especially the Army and Police, to protect our people,” he added.