In a recent interview, Bello Hassan, a member of the House of Representatives representing Zurmi/Shinkafa Federal Constituency, revealed that bandits have launched multiple attacks on over 50 communities in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. These attacks have resulted in the displacement of residents, who have been forced to abandon their ancestral homes.
Hassan described the situation as dire, with the bandits retaliating against military interventions by targeting innocent villagers. He recounted an incident in which the bandits attacked the Gidan Shaho community while the military was engaged with them elsewhere. Tragically, two members of the vigilante group and two policemen lost their lives during the attack.
The affected residents have sought refuge in schools, making it difficult for students and pupils to access education. Fear of abduction has further deterred people from returning to their villages. Hassan called for urgent action to safeguard the lives of the people in Zamfara communities and emphasized the need for close monitoring of communication systems to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Hassan also urged the Federal Government to intervene in the matter and allocate necessary resources to address the security challenges faced by the affected communities in his constituency.
The Governor’s spokesperson, Suleiman Idris, promised to provide a reaction to the incident, while the state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed that an operation was underway in response to the attacks. However, the Defence Headquarters denied the allegations against the military, stating that the lawmaker’s claims could not be substantiated.
Bandit attacks in Zamfara communities have been ongoing for years, posing significant threats to the safety of residents and food security. Recently, reports indicated that 49 people were killed during a five-day operation by bandits in the Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The affected villages include Farar-Kasa, Dangulbi, Duhuwa, Tsatsomawa, and Yar Sabaya.
The situation in Zamfara calls for urgent attention and action from the government to protect the lives and properties of innocent citizens.
