National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Olatunde Oluwasola
Birnin Gwari community in Kaduna State experienced a harrowing terrorist attack yesterday, resulting in the death of an Islamic leader and three others. The assailants abducted numerous residents, their destination unknown, causing widespread distress and grief within the community.
In a statement, Ishaq Usman Kasai, the Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), expressed profound sadness over the incident. Among the victims was Malam Yakubu Muhammad Bugai, the Vice-Chairman of Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS), Birnin-Gwari Branch, who was fatally shot on his farm. Three other farmers were also killed in the brutal attack.
Kasai further disclosed the alarming state of security in the region, as a significant number of locals were kidnapped from their farms in the rural communities of Sabon-Layi, Kurgi, Yelwa, Tashan-Keji, Shiwaka, and Unguwan Danfulani. These areas share boundaries with the Kamuku and Kuyambana forests, serving as hideouts for the armed bandits.
The bandits have also been targeting farmers’ livelihoods, deliberately destroying more than ten farms in the Sabon-layi community, particularly those with grown-up maize, by allowing their cattle to graze freely. They have issued threats, dissuading farmers from working on their lands under the risk of violence, adding to the grave insecurity in the area.
In a series of heinous attacks, the bandits invaded Ungwar Bawa in Randagi Ward, kidnapping 28 individuals, including women and children, while one person lost their life, and four others sustained injuries. However, 13 captives managed to escape their captors.
Similar incidents unfolded in Rafin Zango, around Eka Farm, where two individuals were kidnapped while heading to Gagumi community from Birnin-Gwari town. Additionally, in Unguwan Roka of Kakangi Ward, one person was killed, and nine were kidnapped. On the same Thursday, bandits struck Unguwan Danfulani, killing one person and kidnapping seven members of a single family.
The bandits’ audacity led to a blockade of traders and grain suppliers traveling from the Western part to the Birnin-Gwari weekly market. During the hour-long operation, six individuals were kidnapped, highlighting the grave risks faced by civilians even in bustling areas.
The continuous attacks on farmers have significantly impacted agricultural activities, with approximately 70% of farmlands remaining inaccessible due to insecurity. The situation poses a dire threat to this year’s farming outputs and the livelihoods of the affected communities.
Chairman Kasai expressed deep concern and called for immediate action to ensure the safety of farmers and residents in the region. The security crisis demands urgent attention from the authorities to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people of Birnin Gwari.
