Despite the commissioning of 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) detachment at Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, the security situation in the area has not changed, according to residents.
A resident who did not want his name mentioned for security reasons said that nothing much had changed in terms of security in the area, particularly around the Funtua-Birnin Gwari road.
According to him, “Any driver that plies the Funtua-Birnin Gwari road is doing so at his own risk. However, the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway has a little change as people travel without having many challenges.
“I am saying this because since the launch of the Air Force detachment base in the local government, they have carried out certain operations along that Funtua-Birnin Gwari road. But nobody told us the outcome of the operation in that area, which is considered the most dangerous road. But the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway is a bit safe from the bandits, especially since Ramadan began.”
He appealed to security agencies to improve on their commitment in the fight against the bandits. He called on them to be patriotic and avoid any act of connivance with the criminals.
Another resident of Udawa, who is an Islamic scholar in the town, told our correspondents that there was no improvement on the security situation along their axis. He said the bandits attacked two settlements close to Buruku town on Thursday.
He said that Udawa, Buruku and Kuriga villages were located in Chikun Local Government Area bordering Birnin Gwari, adding, “You know our villages share border with Birnin Gwari town, making us more prone to attacks.
“The issue of improved security is a mere statement by the security agencies and government. We are yet to feel the impact of the Air Force detachment. Just on Thursday, two settlements, Maikwano and Rumana in Buruku, were attacked and people were killed. So what are they telling us? In fact, we have the names of those killed, which we can present if the need arises.”
He also said that about 500 residents of Kuriga fled to Rigachikun town and have been living as refugees for the past two weeks.
“The chairman of the local government even visited them and gave them some donations to manage for now. This is the reality of our people and we are hoping the Air Force and other security agencies would do the needful to secure our people,” he said.
He also said the government should be more committed to the fight against the bandits as they are still operating with impunity.
As part of efforts towards combating the persistent insecurity in Birnin Gwari, the NAF recently commissioned a 271 detachment in the local government, one of the troubled zones in Kaduna State.
Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that residents of the area were relieved by the presence of the NAF, an initiative they saw as the solution to the siege by armed bandits, who attack and kill, injure and kidnap people for ransom without fear of being challenged by security agents.
Speaking during the commissioning of the NAF detachment, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said, “The territorial integrity of our dear country is preserved as this is the only country we can call our own. It is our desire, therefore, to ensure that terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed banditry are curtailed, if not completely eradicated.
“The commissioning of 271 NAF detachment in Birnin Gwari is a testimony of our commitment to the fight against insurgency and banditry in Nigeria, which would not have been possible without the full support of the president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.
“The NAF is equally grateful to Governor Nasir el’Rufai of Kaduna State and the good people of Birnin Gwari for providing the land, and their cooperation in achieving this feat.”
Also speaking on the security situation in Birnin Gwari, a resident of the area who preferred anonymity said, “Security agencies, especially soldiers, do their things secretly, so we are not really in the picture of what they are doing. But I learnt that they are going to deploy special forces to secure the area. But so far, there is nothing like that.
“They also brought in a new helicopter. We will not say there is no security because since the base was inaugurated a week ago, there has been no case of attack and kidnapping. It is gladdening to say that since the holy month of Ramadan started, there has not been any reported case.”
He, however, noted that the Birnin Gwari-Funtua road, where the base is located, is still a shadow of itself as people are scared of plying the road for fear of being attacked. He called on government to increase efforts at completely eradicating the activities of the bandits.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
