BY ANKELI EMMANUEL,Sokoto-
Some communities in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Areas of Kebbi State have decried the continued attack by suspected bandits in the areas.
The bandits believed to be part of the dreaded Boko Haram members that recently hoisted its flag in neighbouring Niger State, have come to lay siege on part of Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State, as confirmed by locals.
According to one of the locals who spoke on condition of anonimity, a good number of the LGAs inhabited by the Dakakari people, commonly referred to as the ‘Zuru’, has been suffering silently under an ongoing violence for some time now.
The locals who insisted that over 300 persons have being 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 ransom of N70.6 million was paid after 201 persons were kidnapped, 3,915 cattle, 2,355 sheep and 150 camels and 114 mortocycles were equally stolen from these farmers within the same period.
Daku/Wasagu LGAs shares border with some of the ungoverned spaces of Zamfara State to its north and to the notorious Kamuku Game reserves that also stretches to Kaduna and Niger State.
Recounting his ordeals, a 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, said since the gunmen started attacking their communities since last year, they have remained helpless.
.”These bandits stormed our village on the 23rd of January, 2021 with 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, were little children”.
Giving possible genesis of the attacks on their villages, Nuhu said, “We 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”..
“Ever since that time, we have managed to pack our belongings and travelled 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 (journalist). 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, a 50 years old Wakala Audu, who is said to be a rich farmer with his two wives and 11 children from D’Lombo villlage in Wasagu Cheifdom are 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 4pm on the 1st of April, 2021.
“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. 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 ordeal, 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’s 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”
Meanwhile, all efforts to speak to the Chairman of the affected LGA, Hon. Alhaji Sule Barshi was unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
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