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A member of the House of Representatives representing Zurmi/Shinkafa Federal Constituency, Bello Hassan, on Wednesday, said bandits had attacked no fewer than 50 communities in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Hassan added that the incessant attacks by the bandits had created heightened tension in communities and had forced residents of the affected communities to abandon their ancestral homes.
Speaking on one of the attacks which happened last Monday, Hassan said the bandits invaded the Gidan Shaho community in large numbers.
He stated, ‘’Not less than 50 villages have been attacked by these elements and the residents of those villages displaced. Whenever the military attacked the gunmen; they (gunmen) retaliated by attacking the villagers. It is sad! Something should be done about this to safeguard the lives of the people in Zamfara communities.
“The security people are aware of what is happening but they are doing nothing. Last Monday, when the bandits were having a meeting, the vigilantes, police and military were aware. But when the military decided to go and confront them, unknown to them, the bandits were at a primary school in the Gidan Shaho community.
“As soon as the military passed them, they entered the village and attacked the residents. In the process, they killed two members of the vigilante group and two policemen but nothing happened to the military men.
“The affected people who have fled their homes are seeking refuge in schools, making it difficult for students and pupils to access their schools. They are afraid of going to the villages because when they do, they get abducted.
“The military and other security agents should be fully catered for. Even the allowances voted for them, are they getting it? The state governments are doing their best and paying a lot; yet, the gunmen are killing their people. Let there be close monitoring of the communication system and those behind these attacks should be brought to book.”
Hassan, while demanding the mobilization of resources to tackle the insecurity bedevilling the affected communities in his constituency, urged the Federal Government to intervene in the matter.’’
In his reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, said, “With regard to what he (the lawmaker) has said, a team has been set and the operation is ongoing.”
