By Ankeli Emmanuel (Sokoto)
Some communities in Danko/Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State have decried continued attack by suspected bandits.
The bandits believed to be part of the dreaded Boko Haram members that recently hoisted its flag in neighboring Niger State have come to lay siege to part of Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State, as confirmed by locals.
According to one of the locals who spoke on condition of anonymity, a good number of the local government areas inhabited by the Dakakari people, commonly referred to as the 'Zuru', has been suffering silently under ongoing violence for some time now.
The locals who insisted that over 300 persons have been killed by these bandits between January 2020 to 31st January 2021 in their peaceful farming communities added that about 16 others were severely injured.
Continuing in a cold mode, the locals noted that a ransom of N70.6 million was paid after 201 persons were kidnapped, 3,915 cattle, 2,355 sheep and 150 camels, and 114 motorcycles were equally stolen from these farmers within the same period.
Daku/Wasagu local government shares a border with some of the ungoverned spaces of Zamfara State to its north and to the notorious Kamuku Game reserves that also stretch to Kaduna and Niger State.
Recounting his ordeals, 44 years old father of four kids, Mr Nura Bitrus from Munhaye village, in Wasagu Chiefdom, who has become an IPD in Dabai, a suburb of Zuru town, Zuru LGA of Kebbi State since the gunmen started attacking their communities especially since last year, they have remained helpless.
."These bandits stormed out the village on the 23rd of January, 2021 on over 100 motorbikes. They started shooting and killing any living thing at sight. We lost 33 people and they kidnapped about 20 women among them, little children that day".
Giving possible genesis of the attacks on their villages, Nuhu said, “We have had disagreements with Fulani in the past and we know what they can do. But these ones that came to attack us are Boko Haram, as in our own case, they just came to kill, not to steal.
“Though, some of our people said they saw some of the Fulani that had lived with us but left some time ago amongst those that came to attack our village. But I guess these gunmen also had people from the Niger Republic and even Chad.
“Ever since that time, we have managed to pack our belongings and traveled for over three hours to be received here. Our village is a large one with over 500 compounds and we were prosperous farmers who could take care of our needs and sponsor our kids in school. Now we cannot go near the village.
“No one is talking about us. I am happy you came. We don’t want anything from the government. All we want is a secured condition so that we can return home to our farming. That’s all we are asking,” he said.
Collaborating the ugly development, 50 years old Wakala Audu, who is said to be a rich farmer with his two wives and 11 children from D'Lombo village in Wasagu Chiefdom is all taking refuge at an IDP camp with his entire household at Sabon Gari, a rocky suburb of Zuru town.
On his part, he narrated, “The killers came in large numbers pairing in two or three on motorcycles around 4 pm on the 1st of April, 2021. NNL.
“I am sure they are over 300. They just started shooting, killing and looting. They killed 17 persons that day, including our Mai Anguwa (Sub-Village Head), Mallam Maifada Matu. Those bandits stole my 23 cows and hundreds of cows belonging to my relations and other residents of the village.
“We escaped into the bush with our wives and children. After two days, Kebbi State Governor, Bagudu Atiku came. I was not around when he spoke. I was busy trying to take my family away. Besides that, we had corpses of our people that we had not buried and they were going bad,' he said.
According to him, the governor made a donation of N50,000 to each family that had children that were orphaned from the violence. He said that his village which has about 300 households with large fertile lands, was now deserted as residents escaped leaving behind valuables they could not carry in a hurry.
“Nobody is saying anything about us. I am surprised you came. Our major wish now is to return home and face our farming if security is assured".
Narrating her grieve, an 85 years old great grandmother, Rhoda James who had given birth to 11 children and also taking refuge at Dabai with 17 young women who were widowed in the January 2021 Munhaye attacks said, she lost her son, James (42) and a grandson, Augustine (30).
“They killed over 30 people and kidnapped 23 people. My junior sister, Mary, her son, his wife and two children were kidnapped that day. I am aware that a 2 million naira ransom was paid after spending 41 days in the hands of the bandits"
Though, efforts to speak to the Chairman of the affected LGA, Hon. Alhaji Sule Barshi was not possible at the time of filing this report. NNL.
