Residents of border communities in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State have fled their homes following a series of banditry incursions that have left several villages deserted in the past week.

Many affected families are now taking refuge in Faruruwa community and Shanono town, with reports indicating that entire households have abandoned their homes, farms and livestock out of fear.

Following peace deals in parts of Katsina State and military operations in other North West states, bandits in the areas are fleeing into villages in Kano, which share border with affected states.

Weekend Trust gathered that these attacks have been going on for a while now. One of the displaced residents, Sabiu Bako (not real name), from Santar Abuja village, told Weekend Trust that bandits have been terrorising the area and forcing people to live in constant fear.

Between Saturday and Thursday, we have not been at home. We are constantly afraid because they can come anytime. We usually gather in Faruruwa to seek refuge or go to Shanono town.

“Our entire village is empty now. Some of us are sleeping in the streets, others in farmlands or inside people’s houses. I have four wives and 24 children – all now displaced into other people’s homes in Faruruwa,” he said.

He said residents from many communities, including Unguwar Kudu, Yan Kwada, Malamai, Santar Abuja, Unguwar Tsamiya, Goron Dutse, Tudun Fulani and Kulki, have all deserted their homes, leaving their belongings and farms behind.

“Staying in these villages now is like suicide,” he added, explaining that only a few brave youths sneak back during the day to tend to their farms before returning to safety by afternoon.

A community leader in Faruruwa who offered shelter to displaced persons said his home was overcrowded.

“I cannot tell you the number of people inside my house. It is filled. Some even sleep in the compound. The situation is beyond imagination; we are only praying it ends soon,” he said.

Another elderly resident told Weekend Trust that he and his extended family – children, their spouses and grandchildren – are now taking refuge in Faruruwa, while some of his relatives have relocated to urban Kano for safety.

A senior community leader described the exodus as alarming, saying entire villages have been emptied as people flee daily in search of safety.

“People are leaving their houses, farms and everything behind. Every day, more vehicles are leaving with families. Just yesterday, someone came to me asking for a letter, saying he was going to seek refuge elsewhere but didn’t even know where he was headed.

“What is causing more panic is that people who have never heard gunfire in their lives now hear it right behind their homes. It is terrifying,” he said.

He confirmed that 276 households from Santar Abuja village alone are now seeking refuge in Faruruwa community.

Residents, however, acknowledged that security operatives recently intensified patrol in the area, which has helped reduce attacks in the last two days.

“We are thankful for the visible security presence. Without them, we don’t know what would have happened to us,” one of the displaced residents said.

Among those displaced are women and children who narrated their experiences of fear, hunger and uncertainty to Weekend Trust.

Aisha Muhammad, one of Bako’s wives, said she and her children fled their home in the middle of the night after hearing gunshots.

“We just picked our children and ran barefoot. We didn’t even lock the doors. We came here with nothing, except the cloths we were wearing.

“Every night we sleep in fear, even here. The children cry whenever they hear any sound,” she said.

Hauwa Ibrahim, a mother of six from Unguwar Tsamiya, said they had been surviving on food donations from Faruruwa residents.

“It’s been five days now and we haven’t gone back home. We cook with other women, sharing whatever anyone brings. My husband still goes to check our farm, but he comes back before noon,” she said.

For Rabi Sani, whose husband and eldest son were away when the attacks started, life has become unbearable.

“I don’t even know where my husband is. He was on his farm when the gunshots started. We ran to Faruruwa and haven’t seen him since. I am taking care of my three children alone,” she said, tearfully.

Fatima Yusuf, a young mother from Goron Dutse, said she and many other women now share a single room provided by residents of Faruruwa.

“We sleep on mats. The place is crowded; and we can hardly breathe at night. Some of the children are sick, coughing and having fever because of the cold,” she said.

Another displaced woman, Maryam Bello, said her family lost their means of livelihood after bandits attacked their community.

“Our millet and maize farms are there, but we can’t go back. Everything is wasting. My husband says he will try to harvest secretly next week, but we are scared that he might not return,” she said.

Governor Yusuf commends military response

Meanwhile, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has commended the Nigerian army and other security agencies for their swift response to recent banditry attacks in parts of the state.

Governor Yusuf made the commendation while receiving the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major General Abubakar Sadiq Muhammad Wase at the Government House, Kano.

General Wase, who was in the state to assess the security situation in Shanono and Tsanyawa local governments, recalled with emotion, his early days at the Kano Government House, where his late father, Colonel Muhammad Abdullahi Wase served as military sole administrator in 1994.

“I am here on a familiarity visit. Since assuming command at 1 Division, I have visited the scenes of recent attacks to commend our gallant officers,” the GOC said.

Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the military for their dedication and also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing competent service chiefs committed to national security.

He announced the donation of 10 Hilux trucks and 60 motorcycles to the Joint Task Force operating in the affected areas and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies in combating banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling.

GOC tours frontline bases, commends troops

In a related development, Major-General Wase, who is also the commander, Sector 1 Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, visited troops at Farin Ruwa and Tsaure Forward Operating Bases in Shanono Local Government Area.

During the visit, the GOC commended the troops for their bravery and professionalism during recent operations against bandits.

He charged them to remain resolute and maintain high operational standards to rid the area of criminal elements.

The operational visit followed the November 2 bandit incursion in Shanono, which claimed the lives of two security personnel and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force.

General Wase also toured the Kano–Katsina border, identified as a major bandit crossing point, and urged troops to remain vigilant and sustain close collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders.

Troops on ground include personnel from 3 Brigade, Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force and the Civilian Joint Task Force.

The GOC’s visit ended with a courtesy call on Governor Yusuf at the Government House, where they discussed security issues and exchanged souvenirs. (Weekend Trust)