Thousands of people including women, children and the aged are fleeing their homes following deadly attacks by armed bandits in many villages in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State.
The bandits are said to have killed 17 people in Rimi village within the Yankari Game Reserve forest.
Babawo Abdullahi, who said his relations were affected, told Daily Trust that the bandits stormed the village and opened fire on the people shortly after Juma’at at prayer on Friday
Abdullahi, who lives in Yashi village, said, “The entire village has been deserted after the deadly attack. People have run away to the towns where they have relatives for safety. Not a single resident is in Rimi now; they have all deserted the village.”
He also said the military stationed in Duguri village were mobilised to the forest after the Rimi attack and that they successfully tracked down the bandits and killed many.
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Investigation showed that mining activities in many villages are attracting mining companies into the area and also increase in the number of bandits.
The bandits are taking advantage of the large forest hosting the Yankari Game Reserve to terrorise residents of the villages and make brisk business from ransom collection.
A former councillor in Pali and traditional title holder of Tafidan Pali, Hon Sani Aliyu Bappa, said the recent activities of bandits have displaced over 10 villages in Gwana District. “The people of the affected villages have deserted the areas because, on daily basis, the bandits kill or kidnap people with impunity.
“It is true that these strangers (bandits) killed many people in Alkaleri LGA. Only God knows the number of people killed by these criminals. They have turned the Yankari Game Reserve forest into their hideout.
“You can verify from the rangers working in the reserve who can give exactly where the bandits are located in the forest. As I am talking to you, almost every day they kill residents of the villages or kidnap them, receiving millions of naira in ransom.
“Unfortunately, the authorities concerned have abandoned the people.
“Just yesterday, my father, Professor Muhammed Bappa, narrowly escaped being kidnapped from his farm by bandits. My cousin was recently kidnapped but escaped from captivity.
“I believe the mining activities ongoing in the forest are responsible for the prevalence of the bandits in Alkaleri because billions of naira are circulating in the villages and there are no adequate security agents in the areas.
“We are living in hell and if care is not taken the situation might likely escalate when residents resort to self-defence because the government has not taken the issue of protecting the lives of the people serious.
“We are appealing to both federal and state governments to come to our aid because a good number of people of the affected communities have been displaced from their ancestral homes, and as we are approaching elections dozens of polling units will be empty,” Bappa added.
Adamu Umaru, a resident of Maiari village in Alkaleri LGA, said the discovery of oil in their locality has put them in fear because of the escalating insecurity in the area.
“Most of the people live in fear as they can no longer go to their farms because of fear of being kidnapped. They kidnap people at will and demand ransom of millions of naira. Already, three victims have not been released by the kidnappers despite the ransom payment.”
Mohammed, who is a hunter, said the situation has compelled the youth of the area to set up a security outfit, but added that the hunters and vigilante have their limits as the bandits bear weapons.
“Recently, they killed about three people, one in Maiari, one in Zadawa and one in Dumbe,” he said.
Babangida Garba Maishinko from Barambu community said many people have been kidnapped in the area and the families of victims had to sell of their cattle or other livestock and farm produce to pay ransom running into millions of naira.
“We are happy with the news of the oil found in our community but what we need desperately now is security to be restored because we don’t know if it is the discovery of oil that is fueling the insecurity. We pray that government at all levels would come to our aid and tackle the challenges,” Maishinko said.
Umar Abdullahi of Saminaka village in Alkaleri LGA said: “Our major challenge now is insecurity associated with kidnappers who are perpetuating their heinous acts. We also don’t have public schools for our children, no hospital for the sick and no access roads.
An elder in Barambu said the bandits usually carried out their criminal activities at night. “They come as visitors, then attack people who they dragged into the forest.
“Right now, three people are still with the bandits. Our major challenge now is the restoration of peace because payment of ransom has impoverished many families.”
Another elder at Barambu village, Shugaba Usaini said, “We are happy with the discovery of oil in our land and we pray that the oil will benefit the present and subsequent generations.
“What we are appealing to the government is to tackle the insecurity that is bedevilling us, especially kidnappers. We want the authorities concerned to ensure that the community is not neglected.”
However, the Bauchi State Police Command has denied the report of an attack and killing of people in Alkaleri.
The spokesman, SP Ahmed Wakil, insisted that there was no attack or killing of people in the newly discovered oil communities in Bauchi State.
Wakil said: “The attention of the Bauchi Police Command has been drawn to viral media publications in some sections of the media dated 11th December 2022 alleging that 10 people were killed in a week by kidnappers around newly oil-discovered field communities. The story is false in its entirety!
“While the aim of the promoters of the unfortunate stories is unknown, such negative reports could undermine the efforts of the police and other security services in curtailing crime in the state. We, therefore, wish to correct the erroneous narrative being peddled around which is not true and neither is it the reality on the ground.”
Wakil said it is necessary to point out that the police command has recorded tremendous success in its fight against insecurity, especially around the Alkaleri axis.
“Sequel to the commissioning of the Kolmani oil field project site, the command deployed more operational assets and intensified intelligence gathering and visibility patrols in a bid to decimate the activities of non-state actors in the area.
“It would have been unnecessary to respond to the deliberate misinformation, falsehood and outright mischief by the authors of the publications but this response is necessitated by the need to set the records straight and explain the effort of command.
“To this end, the Commissioner of Police Aminu Alhassan has urged the media to always ensure they verify and authenticate their reports from credible security sources for factual reportage on the reality on the ground,” Wakil added.
Daily Trust recalled that Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed had requested the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the rising activities of bandits and kidnappers in Alkaleri LGA.
The governor disclosed this while briefing newsmen shortly after the ground-breaking ceremony of oil drilling at the Kolmani oil wells.
He lamented that the activities of kidnappers infiltrating the area were gradually getting out of hand and needed the intervention of the federal government.
“I just reported the matter to the president for his quick intervention because the situation about these criminals is trying to be out of our own control. We have many deep forests in the area where the bandits and other criminals are hiding and now oil has been discovered in commercial quantity.
“We are working with security operatives and very soon they will launch an all-out operation in the area. God willing, we will continue to ensure that we protect the lives and properties of all the citizens.”
