By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Birnin Gwari Progressive Union (BEPU) has decried the rise in the cases of armed banditry attacks and killings in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area and its environs in Kaduna State.

The group called for urgent action by the State Government to end the several unabated attacks by the bandits and other criminal elements in the area.

In a statement signed on Monday by BEPU Chairman, Barr Salisu Haruna, further lamented the recent New Year attacks in the local government area which led to the death of residents.

“The New Year 2021 has began in a sorrow and tears for the people of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” it lamented.

“On Sunday, January 3, 2021, armed bandits laid siege on innocent travelers at Zankoro, along the dreaded Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Highway, killing nine people (including three infants) that were on their way to a ceremony at Doka, Birnin-Gwari Local Government.

“Similarly, the bandits came out today (Monday January 4, 2021) at the same Zankoro at about 9.00 am, shooting sporadically and abducted unspecified number of people and wounded six others that are now receiving treatment at Buruku along Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari Highway,” the statement said.

In the last two weeks, bandits terrorising the people of Birnin Gwari, especially those traveling along Birnin Gwari-Funtua and Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highways, have become intensely aggressive as they continue to kill and abduct innocent citizens unabated.

The group frowned at what it described as the seemingly laissez-faire attitude towards banditry in Birnin Gwari area by governments at all levels.

“From December 20, 2020 to January 4, 2021, bandits have mercilessly terrorised the people of Birnin Gwari, kidnapping them at homes, farms and during travels. The bandits have ruthlessly been killing the people of the area and the Kaduna state government has evidently chosen to take off her eyes from our pathetic situation, at least by acknowledging cases of abductions and serial killings by the bandits as it does on other areas like Lere of recent.

“Hence, BEPU calls on the Kaduna State Government to note that: there are cases of kidnappings and killings everyday along Birnin Gwari-Kaduna and Birnin Gwari-Funtua highways.

“There are more than 40 abductees currently at the mercy of the bandits who were kidnapped between 20th December 2020 and Monday January 4, 2021; some of them have been reported terribly ill,” the statement said.

According to the statement a total of nine innocent travelers were killed at Zankoro along Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highway on Sunday 3rd January 2021.

A total of 11 people were kidnapped at Dan Kungi village on Sunday 3rd January 2021.

BEPU therefore called on the government to deploy immediate response squad to mount offensive operations along Birnin Gwari Kaduna and Birnin Gwari Funtua highways

“We also urge the government to sit up to its responsibility and protect the lives and property of defenseless people of Birnin Gwari whose bloods are spilled daily by the bandits.

“We seriously urge the government to launch an offensive attack to neutralise bandits terrorising Birnin Gwari increasingly whose skills and warfare strategies are advanced every day.

“Enough is enough,” the statement added.

Update news