The Birnin Gwari Progressives Union, BEPU, has frowned at Kaduna State government’s laissez-faire attitude towards fighting banditry in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state.
The BEPU Chairman, Bar. Salisu Haruna, in a statement on Monday, lamented that from December 20, 2020 to January 4 2021, the bandits had terrorized the community by kidnapping thei people from their homes, farms or during travels.
The statement said: “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 it should acknowledge cases of abductions and serial killings by the bandits as it does on other areas like Lere of recent.”
The group recalled that the New Year 2021 began in sorrow in the local government area following a siege laid at Zankoro by armed bandits on January 3.
According to the group, the bandit attack claimed the lives of nine people, including 3 infants that were reportedly going for a ceremony at Doka, in Birnin-Gwari.
The statement lamented that the bandits came out again on Monday at the same Zankoro at about 9.00 am, shooting sporadically and abducted unspecified number of people.
Six others, he said, were wounded and are now receiving treatment at Buruku along Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari Highway.
To this end, the BEPU called on the state government to take necessary measures, noting that there are cases of kidnappings and killings everyday along Birnin Gwari-Kaduna and Birnin Gwari-Funtua highways.
According to them, there are more than 40 abductees currently at the mercy of the bandits who were kidnapped while some have been reported ill.
The statement said: “A total of 9 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 an 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.”
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