Six people, mainly children, reportedly died as residents of Shimfida community of Jibia Local Government Area, Katsina State, were fleeing the area as a result of what they called “unannounced and sudden withdrawal of military personnel” from the area.
This ugly development has resulted in massive relocation of the residents of the communities due to fear of imminent attacks by bandits.
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Residents told Daily Trust that on Wednesday night a number of military vehicles drove into the area and packed away all the military personnel from where they were stationed for some time.
Shimfida is on the fringes of Dumburum forest where a lot of bandits’ kingpins operating in both Zamfara and Katsina states are said to be hibernating.
“That military post was here for more than seven years because Shimfida was one of the towns earlier attacked at the beginning of the present day banditry some seven years ago.
“They (military) should have given us at least five days’ notice for us to vacate the place, but unfortunately they suddenly came and packed their people away leaving us at the peril of bandits attack.
“As we speak now, men and women, old people and children are all running out of the place and already six dead bodies of children are found along the way,” he said.
Another resident said it became very urgent and necessary for them to migrate because the bandits were angry with Shimfida residents due to the presence of the military personnel.
Attempt to get a reaction and possible reason of the withdrawal from the Army Brigade in katsina proved abortive.
On his part, the Police spokesman in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah, said, “If the military have moved away their personnel, it is for them to speak on the reason, not the police.”
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