..kidnap 36 people on Sunday, dozens on Monday, scores previously – an insider raises alarm
..Demand N1m for each victim, torchlight, foodstuffs
By ldibia Gabriel, Kaduna
Bandits have reportedly declared war on the innocent citizens in Birinin Gwari Local Government area of Kaduna State, according to latest reports from victims’ relations and families.
Only between Sunday and Monday, uncountable number of people have been abducted by the bandits from the area know as Jangari Bagoma community.
While 36 were kidnapped on Sunday morning, the number of those kidnapped on Monday morning while in their farms farming are yet to be ascertained or identified.
Speaking to our correspondent on phone on Monday, the a community volunteer who pleaded anonymity lamented that victims of the kidnapping incident, mostly women and children had become a daily accurence in their LG.
According to the resident source who is so dependable and leaves together with a man who’s two wives and four children were among the kidnapped victims explained that the terrorists abducted and rapped their children and wives freely on daily basis unchallenged.
He said “Jangari Bagoma community is about 2- 3 Kilometers from B/Gwari Town. The number of those kidnapped today Monday in the area around 10 -11am are yet to be known.
“They were picked up while in their farms. A very big farm land where more than 1000 people are having their farms there. Those who escaped are the one to inform us.
“They’re demanding for N1million for each victim. They kidnapped 2 of my neighbors wives and 4 of his children, making six. I’m standing with him as speak to you”, he said.
He also said that “they also demanded for torchlight and foodstuffs from him for the one of today kidnapping this morning for his family to bring for them in the bush.
According to him, there are military and other security formations in Grinin Gwari but had always said they’re waiting for directives from the top for taken action.
We’ve security formations – Air Force, Military, Mopol, Police and Vigilantes, unfortunately we the community cannot force them to go and work by Al means
“They’re always saying they’re waiting for directives from the top. Even though they’re here in town and heard everything happening.
“In the night, for instance, the Air force has an alarm machine. When Bandits or B/Haram or any criminals are entering the town, they’ll know when the alarm is shouting, but will not go and attack them even now that Bandits have been declared terrorists”, he said
He further vsaid that “Even when they have been declared terrorists, the security would be waiting for directives from the top. “We met state government officials with our issues that this is the situation we’re. They even complained to us that whatever the security people want they provide it for them.
“But yet they’re always telling them this and that. That is what they’re telling us at the local government level too, that they’re supporting the security but can’t force them or tell them to go and fight with Bandits.
“They’ll tell you they’re waiting for intelligent report, this or that. That’s why where we’re having serious problem with federal government. Our people use to call internal security and Home Affairs Mr Samuel Aruwan and explain to him. So I don’t know the relationship between them.
“Security issue is difficult and money play a vital role. Instead of protecting lives and properties of people they’re always talking about money, money and money”, he said
He also said even though Security has confronted them before on this farm area, but nobody went there to try to recover the victims anymore.
“I’m nearer to the person they kidnapped six of his family members. The Bandits asked him to bring six million for the 6 people. Today own happens around 10-11am.
“Let me give you information about B/Gwari – kaduna road. it’s now a dead trap, dangerous way.
“The story of today is all over B/Gwari town. On daily basis people are being kidnapped.
” I left kaduna yesterday. Now I’m at b/Gwari. If you pass Kudawa, there’s a town call Udawa, were we’ve military formation. There, you have one armour tank Hilux security used in escorting more than 50-60 vehicles to Burukun the deadly area of the road. ‘Sometimes the Bandits comes out, diverted vehicles and attacks the security, kidnapped and killed some.
“This things happened almost on daily basis. Is a federal highway to B/Gwari, Niger other states.
“They’ve already rustle all their cattle in B/Gwari west. They pay to the Bandits up to N100 million to farm, and yet don’t allow the people to do farming with kidnapping.
“Government have all the news but did nothing much. We keep praying as our last hope. Nobody is following the Funtua road because is about 100kilm between B/Gawri and Katsina. “There are so many kidnappings taken place there on the road, maltreating and raping their women and children. There are also B/Haram in some part of B/Gwari too. B/Gwari town”, h lamented.
