Edozie Udeojo,Abuja
• Herdsmen kill four in Benue, Adamawa
• Niger , Katsina , Sokoto Senators Cry Out
A fresh crisis involving Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have renewed attacks on Gonan Togo village at Kufana community in Kajuru council area of Kaduna State, killing 15 people and has left many seriously injured. According to eye witness reports, the assailants also rustled nine cows.
Chairmen of Kajuru and Kachia councils including the district head of Kufana, Titus Dauda, and the Commander, Artillery Regiment, Kaduna are reported to have also visited the area to commiserate with the villagers.
The delegation enjoined the people to be vigilant, giving assurance that the government would continue to protect lives and property.In his address , the district head, who cautioned against a reprisal, urged his subjects to remain law-abiding and allow security agencies do their work.
However, efforts to reach the spokesman of the state police command were futile, as he neither picked his calls nor responded to a text message sent to his mobile phone. But a senior officer at the command, who craved anonymity, put the casualty figure at 15.
In a similar development , suspected herdsmen have killed two villagers in Agasha community of Guma local council of Benue State. Another set of herders also murdered two people during a raid on Gon and Bolki settlements in Numan council of Adamawa State.
But troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) on patrol yesterday morning gunned down four of the herdsmen in Benue. Confirming the killings, Commander of OPWS, Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, told newsmen yesterday that he got wind of the attack and immediately mobilised to the scene, adding that the nomads had fled before their arrival.
He said the troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, four magazines and 65 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from the bandits. On the other hand, reports also reliably gathered that houses were burnt while animals were stolen during the Adamawa attack.
Locals said one of the deceased was a contractor assigned to reconstruct one of the primary schools destroyed by the same herdsmen.According to them, all attempts to reach soldiers attached to a cattle camp in Abare axis proved abortive.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Suleiman Nguroje, said he was yet to be briefed on the attack.Moreover, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has condemned the invasion.
It communicated its displeasure in a statement by its spokesman, Luka Biniyat.
Senators on Tuesday bemoaned the unending killing sprees being carried out in some communities in Niger and Katsina States by Armed Bandits .
This is as the Senate urged security agencies to rise up to the disturbing challenge by setting up permanent military bases in the affected areas .
Specifically on the Niger killings, the Senate urged the federal government to establish a permanent military base at the boundary between Alawa and Uregi areas of Shiroro and Rafi local government areas which is the epicentre of the banditry .
It also called on the federal government to direct the Police and Nigeria Army to beef up personnel and equipment deployment to flashpoints of armed banditry in Katsina State .
These resolutions were sequel to separate motions moved to that effects by Senators Sani Musa ( APC Niger East) and Mandiya Bello ( APC Katsina South).
Senator Musa in his lead debate on the motion titled: ” Urgent Need for the federal government to take drastic actions to bring an end to the act of banditry and kidnapping in Niger East Senatorial District “, said the act has become a daily incidence in Niger, Katsina , Kebbi, Kaduna and Zamfara States .
According to him, dastardly acts of the bandits were inflicted on residents of affected communities in Niger State on the 22nd of April, 25th of April, and 6th to 10th May 2020 with loss of precious lives and properties .
” On the 22nd of April this year, bandits struck communities of Madaka , Bakacin, Hatsi, Tunga Bako , Uregi, Ushsma , Sambuga, Ufaka and Pangu Gari Maguga in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger where some members of the communities including nine vigilantes were killed , kidnapped and valuables carted away “, he said .
Senator Mandiya in his own motion on similar banditry in Katsina State said concerned communities are becoming desperate and may resort to self-help which would eventually lead to a state of anarchy .
Worried by the development , Senators one after the other in their contributions , called on the various security agencies , particularly the Police and the Military to wake up and rise up to the disturbing challenge .
In his own contribution, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi ( APC Niger North) , said the issue of insecurity in the country had been over debated at both Chambers of the National Assembly with attendant resolutions passed .
” What is required now from the security agencies , is action and nothing more .
” There is need for them to wake up by confronting the mindless criminals frontally “, he said .
Senator Ibrahim Gobir ( APC Sokoto East) in his own contribution said the matter seems to be getting out of hand for the security forces as banditry is now a daily occurrence in Sokoto State .
According to him, in some areas of the state under firm control of the bandits , issues on marriage and land disputes , are now being adjudicated upon by leaders of bandits in the affected areas .
” Government needs to wake up before the affected communities resort to self-help , which will be in form of full scale war against the criminals and invariably anarchy ” , he warned .
Other Senators like Jibrin Barau ( APC Kano North), Mohammed Enagi ( APC Niger South ) etc, also decried the worrisome development and called on Security agencies to wake up .
However the President of the Senate , Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks , said the security agencies are overwhelmed due to inadequate number of personnel and equipment.
” The Security agencies have not at any time shirked away from their responsibilities of ensuring security for all and sundry in the country .
” But with inadequate personnel and equipment, they are no doubt, overwhelmed by the spate of crimes and criminalities across the country .
” They are however expected to redouble their efforts in getting armed bandits , kidnappers and other criminals out of their various hide outs “, he said .