The residents of Birnin-Gwari local government of Kaduna State have decried the high level of insecurity that has bedeviled the area.
They said at the “present, our ancestral town of Birnin Gwari is encircled by blood thirsty gangs moving freely from one end of the other.”
In a strong worded letter to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, the residents, under the umbrella body of Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area asked the governor to take decisive action concerning what it describes as alarming security situation in the area which is threatening their lives.
“About three weeks ago, a car conveying NYSC members was intercepted along Birnin Gwari -Funtua axis and all the female Corps members were allegedly raped by the bandits.
“Regrettably, observers are of the opinion that the modus operandi of these hoodlums which often involved the use of military fatigues, possession of assault weapons and organizing themselves into camps in the surrounding forest reserve bears resemblance with that of Boko Haram insurgents.
According to them Birnin Gwari is presently under siege by camps of armed bandits, rapist, cattle rustlers and kidnappers mostly hiding in adjoining forest around the area.
The letter which was jointly signed by Chair Security Sub-Committee Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union Muazu Idris and the President of the union Murtala Abdullahi and copied security agencies and relevant stakeholders lamented that “reports have it that in Doka village and kungi-gari (15km away from Birnin Gear town) bandits attend markets brandishing AK47 riffles in the open without any challenge by security agents.
“About two weeks ago, they abducted a member of Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Birnin Gwari. Furthermore, on Friday 15th June 2017, two female students of Kaduna State College of Midwifery and staff were abducted, another batch of three were kidnapped 10km from Kaduna on the way to Birnin Gwari at gun point with parents and well wishes made to pay huge ransom largely determined by the criminals to secure their release .
“We therefore appeal to His Excellency to use his good office to declare state of emergency and devote time and resources to save us of this harrowing scenarios as failure to urgently act will not only cripple us economically but pose serious security threat that will be difficult to curtail” the letter contained.
