Bandits have killed farmers in the Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna state and kidnapped scores as insecurity escalates.
This was disclosed by the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU).
Ishaq Usman Kasai, the Chairman Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives’ Union (BEPU), in a statement, said:
”We sorrowfully mourn the death of the Vice-Chairman of Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS), Birnin-Gwari Branch, Malam Yakubu Muhammad Bugai and three other farmers who were killed by the murderous armed bandits who have been unleashing terror in the area.
”The JIBWIS Leader was shot on Wednesday, 26/7/2023, at his farm located around Rema area and was later evaluated and taken to Jibril Mai-Gwari General Hospital sustaining gunshots on his abdomen and arm. Regrettably, he passed on by 7:30 am the following day (27/7/2023).
“Until his murder, Mal Yakubu Bugai was a strong pillar, pioneer member and also the Vice-Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Orphans Foundation, which is an organization devoted to taking care of thousands of Orphans left behind by mostly victims of armed banditry in the security ravaged area.
“In another sad development, around Sabon-Layi, Kurgi, Yelwa, Tashan-Keji, Shiwaka, Unguwan Danfulani and many more rural Communities in the Western part of Birnin-Gwari who are sharing boundaries with Kamuku and Kuyambana Forests, which are serving as hideouts of the Bandits, large number of locals were kidnapped at their farms.
“In fact, the situation is so rampant and complex for one to choose among the incidents to report.”
He added that more than ten farms (especially those with grown-up maize) had been cleared deliberately by the bandits’ cattle.
He said the bandits told the farmers to stop wasting their time going to farm in the area because even if they did, they would not allow them to harvest and may end up being killed or abducted.
“BEPU is deeply concerned that the killings and abductions of farmers in the Birnin-Gwari general area have continued to escalate on a daily basis, unchallenged and unreported,” he added.
