July 29, (THEWILL) – Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed the Vice-Chairman of Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS), Birnin-Gwari Branch, Mal. Yakubu Muhammad Bugai and three other farmers in Kaduna State.
In a statement on Saturday, Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), Ishaq Usman Kasai, said Bugai was shot on Wednesday, at his farm located around Rema area.
He was, however, rushed to Jibril Mai-Gwari General Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds on his abdomen, where he was confirmed dead on Thursday.
Kasai further disclosed that in Sabon-Layi, Kurgi, Yelwa, Tashan-Keji, Shiwaka, and Unguwan Danfulani Rural Communities in the Western part of Birnin-Gwari, the bandits also abducted a number of locals on their farms.
“The bandits also herd over people’s farms in those areas where in the Sabon-layi Community alone, more than 10 farms (especially those with grown-up maize) have been cleared deliberately by the bandits’ cattle.
“In fact, the Bandits told the farmers to stop wasting their time going to farm in the area because even if they do, they will not allow them to harvest and may end up being killed or abducted.
“On Friday, 21/7/2023, the bandits invaded Ung. Bawa in Randagi Ward and kidnapped 28 persons including women and children and also killed 1 and shot 4, who are currently receiving medical attention at various health facilities. However, 13 out of the captives have managed to escape from the den.
“On Tuesday, bandits attacked Rafin Zango, around Eka Farm, and kidnapped two persons, who were on their way coming back from Birnin-Gwari town heading to Gagumi Community. Also, on Wednesday, they invaded Unguwan Roka of Kakangi Ward, killed 1 person and kidnapped 9. On Thursday night, bandits came back to a nearby Community, Unguwan Danfulani, killed 1 person and kidnapped 7 from one family.
“Earlier on the same Thursday, the bandits blocked traders and grain suppliers, who were on their way from the Western part to the Birnin-Gwari weekly Market. The bandits operated for about an hour and kidnapped 6 persons.
“We are deeply concerned that farmers continue to be attacked whenever they go to their farms. This poses a serious danger to this year’s targeted farming outputs as about 70% of farmlands are yet to be accessible. On Wednesday, four locals were kidnapped at their farms in Yelwa Community in the Sabon-Layi axis.
“In fact, kidnapping and killing of locals at farms have become rampant in the entire Birnin-Gwari general area. Even today, Saturday, bandits abducted two farmers at Maraban Agyaro area of Gagumi axis. These incidents are just to mention but a few.
“BEPU is deeply concerned about the killings and abductions of farmers in the Birnin-Gwari general area, as it escalates on a daily basis, unchallenged and mostly unreported.
“In view of the situation, BEPU appreciates the determination of the new administration and the effort of the security agencies towards addressing the problem. The Union, however, appeal to the Federal Government to facilitate the establishment of military detachments in Katakaki, Gagumi, Tashar-Keji and Bugai axis of the Western part of Birnin-Gwari, which the Bandits Warlords are now using as their operational basis and continuously terrorizing the Birnin-Gwari general area.
“Equally important is the need for restoration of the Mobile Police Unit in Damari Community of the eastern part of the Local Government, which bandits are using as a route in attacking many Communities in the area.
“The victims of banditry continue to die due to poor medical attention as a result of inadequate staffing and equipment in the Jibril Mai-Gwari General Hospital. Only one Medical Doctor in the entire Hospital. This is by far not proportionate to the population.
“On this note, BEPU appeals to the Kaduna State Government to post more health personnel or recruit indigenous Medical Doctors, who would be managing the Hospital, as victims of banditry continue to die due to insufficient primary medical attention,” he said.
