Armed Bandits Kill Infants, Travelers along Birnin-Gwari Highway
A statement by President of Bernin Gwari Progressive Union (BEPU):
“The New Year 2021 has began in a sorrow and tears for the people of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
“On Sunday, 3rd January, 2021, armed bandits lay siege on innocent travelers at Zankoro, along dreaded Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Highway, killing nine people ( including 3 infants) that are on their way for a ceremony at Doka, Birnin-Gwari Local Government.
“Similarly, the bandits come out today Monday 4th January 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.
“In the last two weeks, bandits terrorising the people of Birnin Gwari, especially those travelling along Birnin Gwari-Funtua and Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highways have become intensely aggressive as they continue to kill and abduct innocent citizens unabated.
“With dismay, Birnin Gwari Progressives Union (BEPU) frowns at the seemingly laissez-faire attitude towards banditry in Birnin Gwari area by the governments at all levels.
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“From December 20th , 2020 to January 4th, 2021, bandits have mercilessly terrorized the people of Birnin Gwari thereby kidnapping them at homes, farms and during travels. The bandits have ruthlessly been killing the people of Birnin Gwari 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 tersely 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 4th January 2021; some of them have been reported terribly ill. A total of Nine (9) 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 calls 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 neutralize bandits terrorising Birnin Gwari increasingly whose skills and warfare strategies are advanced every day. …Enough is enough”.
SIGNED
Barrister Salisu Haruna
Chairman, BEPU
4th January, 2021
