A online media company, KADUNA Political Affairs, has given an insighton the origins of the bandits phenomenon in Kaduna state.


How Bandits Found New Home In Kaduna Communities

Northern Bureau Chief, MUHAMMAD SABIU, writes on the plight of residents of Birnin-Gwari, a town located in the eastern part of Kaduna State, where bandits have now found a new home.

A community leader, who holds the title of Danmasani Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Abdulra’uf, recently shared an insight about the plight of the farmers in his community. He told journalists that communities can only farm if they pay taxes in millions to bandits.

Shedding light on the payment of taxes, Abdulra’uf said a district (Randegi) paid N200 million to bandits within two years as taxes to allow them to farm, adding that the Birnin Gwari local government paid as much as N400 million as taxes to the bandits.

He said the payment of the taxes is divided into three phases: pre-season, mid-season and after-harvesting season.

How did Birnin Gwari get here?

For decades, bandits have lived in Birnin Gwari communities. Even though the reason for their presence in the area is not immediately understood, many are of the view that the forest may have attracted them to the area.

Findings revealed that the forest covers the states of Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara and Katsina, thus, making it easy for criminals to operate and maintain it as their hideouts.

Residents of the area disclosed that there are different bandit commanders, who established different camps in the forests. According to them, the bandits launch their attacks on these communities at will and after abducting locals, they returned to the forests.

A resident, who didn’t want to be named, told Nigerian Tribune how a deadly attack on banks about a decade ago led to the closure of banks and by extension, the collapse of business activities in the area.

The resident said: “Since then, a town like Birnin Gwari has no banks. If we want to make transactions, we have to travel to Kaduna which is about two-and-a-half-hour journey and you are not sure whether you will come back alive.”

The source also noted that residents preferred to travel to neighbouring towns of Kagara and Kontogora in Niger state for business transactions.

“Sometimes, we travel as far as Zungeru and Minna for business transactions if we want to receive large sums of money. This is how we are surviving in Birnin Gwari,” the resident added.

In a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune by the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives’ Union (BEPU), and signed by the Chairman of the forum, Ishaq Usman Kasai, the group expressed worry over the influx of bandits into the communities in the LGA.

“The forests house different groups of criminals/terrorists. The criminals used to go near and far to operate and then come back to the forests with their captives for negotiation of ransom,” the group said.

According to the statement, the western part of Birnin-Gwari is mostly being affected by the operation of large number of armed bandits who encircle the district and operate unchallenged.

BEPU added that the bandits at the western part of Birnin-Gwari forests are usually sighted by locals when they leave their hideouts to attack neighbouring communities in Niger State.

Kasai said more than 30 communities have been displaced in the western part of Birnin-Gwari by bandits, adding that “it is disturbing that many of these communities are currently being occupied by armed bandits unchallenged.”

Findings revealed that 75 percent of New Tabanni people have abandoned their homes and even those that remain because of their farms and other businesses do not spend night there.

He said: “Security problem in the eastern part of Birnin-Gwari is deteriorating where terrorists are presently governing the area.

The BEPU chairman also said Danwandara and Kwanar Dam are among the dangerous flashpoints where armed bandits used to attack, kill and kidnap people between Tabanni and Kuyello road.





More @

https://www.facebook.com/101662031198873/posts/pfbid022ox1DTzqBGz83iV7AcmNqSD3xTcyhEzvn3YdsEnniUwTGe2H1qyFRhYVuU8Y4ohnl/?app=fbl

U voted the lifeless one just to spite the Igbos and show them but today, who dey suffer pass? Abeg enjoy Ur change in peace. Saj Baba

SmellyNyash:

U voted the lifeless one just to spite the Igbos and show them but today, who dey suffer pass? Abeg enjoy Ur change in peace. Saj Baba

Not everything is about the Igbos. Some of you have too much low self esteem.

thesicilian:

Not everything is about the Igbos. Some of you have too much low self esteem.

Zombie urchin keep quiet
U know nothing agbado man

The money given... 200 - 400 million could have been used to purchase arms for self defense.

Instead of giving it out to your oppressors to escalate attacks and demand for more.

The are assisting El-rufai administer
Kaduna State..

SmellyNyash:

U voted the lifeless one just to spite the Igbos and show them but today, who dey suffer pass? Abeg enjoy Ur change in peace. Saj Baba

They robbed his victory on those who disagree with them.

Life na turn by turn.