The vicious attacks launched by bandits in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna states, amongst others, have forced thousands of residents to desert their homes, thus turning these villages to ghost communities, Daily Trust reports.
Frequent attacks, killings and abductions of locals by armed bandits have turned many communities in the North-West states of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna to ghost towns in recent times.
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While some of the villages have been deserted completely, others are just there in name considering that the people no longer live a normal life.
While women and children live at the mercy of the bandits, men, especially those seen as “prosperous” have no option than to flee to safer locations.
Over 100 villages sacked in Kaduna State
Years of insecurity in parts of Kaduna State have led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people who have fled their homes for refuge in other parts of the state.
A chunk of Kaduna’s insecurity rests in about 10 local government areas including Zangon Kataf, Sanga, Kaura, Kauru, Jema’a, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Giwa, Igabi and Kajuru LGAs.
While security breach in Zangon Kataf, Sanga, Kaura, Kauru and Jema’a LGA in the southern senatorial district of the state is largely ethnoreligious, insecurity in Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Giwa, Igabi and Kajuru is connected to the activities of bandits linked to international terrorist groups.
Earlier in June 2020, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, said security has become a major concern for farmers, especially in five local government areas of Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru and Chikun LGA, which have been ravaged by banditry.
He had said: “We do not negotiate with bandits, we kill them, we don’t talk to them, we are going to wipe them out by the grace of God through the combined operation of the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Inspector General of Police Special Peace Squad.”
However, information from village heads and district heads reveal that over 100 villages in about 10 local government areas of the state have either been sacked or deserted by the inhabitants due to insecurity.
The Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, when contacted on the sacked communities, did not respond to a chat and email sent to him.
In Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna’s central senatorial district, most of the security challenges have festered around Gwagwada district and Daily Trust Saturday gathered that at least 16 villages within the district have been sacked.
The villages include Unguwan Rahama, Sabon Gida, Tarugu, Kudau, Badayi, Tsibiri, Dakwala, Komon Jatau, Sarari, Manini, Tashan Tsintsaye, Kogosi, Zhekonu, Kogo and Kajari. This has been confirmed by various village heads.
In Giwa Local Government Area, in the southern senatorial district, there has been some semblance of peace in Giwa and Shika districts, leaving Fatika district as a major security threat. Our correspondent reports that banditry activities have largely ravaged villages under Fatika, which is the largest district in the LGA. At least five villages under the district, including Nasarawan Sabon Sara, Hayin Kobo, Rafin Kaji, Marke villages Bataron Giginya, have been sacked according to residents.
Residents also say about 30 villages have become ‘danger zones’ with bandits operating at will. The villages include Bakalli, Girya, Goburawa, Karshi, Garke, Uguwan Idi, Hayin Gazari, Basurfe, Kufankari, Hula, Unguwan Gelo, Madugu, Hayin Gazari, Ingade and Sabon Gida. Others are Madugu, Banaga, Sabon Garin Yadi, Karshi, Bula, Unguwar Baushe, kumfa, Toroko, Kanawa, Unguwar Ayaba, Maidawo, Gindin Dutse, Sabon Filli, Rukwa, Yuna and Batara.
District Head of Fatika, Alhaji Nuhu Lawal Umar, said he has no authority to speak on the security situation in the area.
Residents of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State which has Kufana and Kajuru districts tell Daily Trust that the insecurity in the area largely lingers within Kufana District with an estimated 26 villages sacked. The list of villages deserted in Kufana according to the District Head, Chief Titus Dauda, are as follows:
In Kallah community (Itisi village, Mashigin boka village, Pushu village, Unguwan Dutse village, Unguwan Mika village, Magunguna village, Idazau village, Dutsen gora village, Agara village, Idarako village).
In Gefe community (Unguwan Araha 1 village, Unguwan Dantata village, Unguwan goshi village, Unguwan Araha 2 village, Unguwan maigizo village).
In Afogo community (Agwalla Kogi village, Agwalla 2 village, Agwalla 3 village, Dokan gida village).
In Doka/ Makyalli community (Idanu village, Unguwan Mudi village, Unguwan Tudu village, Unguwan Rana village, Unguwan gora village, Ifele village, Agwalla village).
According to Chief Dauda, Fulani settlements close to the villages have equally been sacked, although he said some residents are beginning to return home.
Daily Trust Saturday investigation reveals that Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, in Kaduna’s central senatorial district, is the worst hit by banditry activities. Since 2018, the local government, which is made up of Birnin Gwari central, Kuyello and Randagi districts, has seen villagers desert over 60 villages.
Within Birinin Gwari central, deserted villages include Danyamu, Dodo, Tsiron Gwari, Madama, Gaban Falagi, Tse Fulani, Chigabo, Tsohuwan Birnin Gwari, Dajaruwa, Goran Dutse, Kirazo, Unguwan Nabango, Unguwan Marafa, Maidaurayi, Unguwan Idi, Maikirya, Gayam, Kuka, Unguwan Gwari, Rafin Kaura, Kaburu, Unguwan Zakari, Muya, Kagi and Shuwaka. Others include Pole wire, Dogon Zaure, Hayin Kogi, Layin Mai Gwari, Rafin Kaura, Kilyoyi, Ladi, Bagoman Daji, Unguwan Saidu, Unguwan Baraje, Unguwan laya, Saulawa, Tsohuwar Saulawa, Tashan Leda, Dadi kowa, Farin ruwa, Unguwan Dan Barno, Unguwan Nakuli, Dafa, kirazo.
Villages sacked under Kuyello district in the LG include Kuduru, Kwadaga, Ruwan Sarki, Mai Kyasuwa, Kwalakwangi, Dokan ruwa, Kazege Gari and Unguwan Dan Damo. Under Randagi district in Birnin Gwar, Ganda, Mashigi, Tarbago, Unguwan Dagon Sarki, Ginsa, Unguwan Boka, Unguwan Makera, Ishuwai, Talfago, Ijinga, Kuki and Imagu villages have remained deserted.
In Kauru Local Government Area, our correspondents gathered that Kiztin and Kitsarapang communities in Tsam district of Chawai Chiefdom have been sacked, with the people now taking refuge in Kizachi town. Mr John Wani, the youth leader and scribe to the Village Head of Kizachi, confirmed this.
In Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, villages of Kurmin Gandu and Gidan Zaki villages under Gora Gan district have been sacked and the Ardo of Gora Gan, Abubakar Jafaru, told Daily Trust Saturday that the people are now settled in Ladduga in Kachia LGA.
In Kachia Local Government Area of the southern senatorial district of Kaduna State, our correspondent gathered that at least 32 villages from four wards have been displaced.
Villages displaced under Doka ward include Chikwale, Idum, Muruchi, Kwasau Legede, Amale, Kafeyawa, Chikwale, Unguwan Pa, Gidan Sambo, Gidan Para, Unguwan Muruchi, Unguwan Dutse, Baware kasa, Gidan Duna, Sabon Gida Duna, Opase, Gidan Sunday and Gidan Yarima. Others include Gidan Auta, Bakin Garma, Gidan Ladan, Maigari, Gidan Wakili, Pago, Oshowodo and Gidan Peter.
Under Ankuwa ward, Ungwan pah has been displaced while Koron Kurmin Iya and Ungwan Gwari KurminIya were displaced in Bishini Ward and Rishi village is equally displaced in Kateri ward.
Villagers migrate to Niger communities from Katsina
In Katsina State, our correspondent reports that several villages have remained deserted following frequent attacks by bandits.
It was learnt that while some of these villages were completely deserted and their inhabitants relocated and settled in other communities, some have their inhabitants vacating the place in the evening to return in the morning to see what they could salvage from what remained of their farms.
In Jibia Local Government Area, one of the leaders of the affected communities told our correspondent that at least 95 per cent of their people have deserted the villages of Tsambaye and Tamben Tsauni.
For the sake of their safety, some of the villagers have migrated to far away neighbouring villages in the Niger Republic.
“When you come to the whole village and see that only two people are left there, you would know what it means. Majority of the people have migrated to some nearby villages in the Niger Republic while some are currently in Jibia and other neighbouring communities,” the source said.
When asked about what they left behind, he said apart from the farms, most of their livestock and other valuable they could salvage from the bandits were usually sold off.
“Even before we left the area, you know that our domestic animals were all rustled by these criminals. I mean our cattle, sheep and goats. Those who were lucky to escape with theirs have sold them either to buy food or medicine,” he said.
He added that aside the animals, personal belongings such as mattresses, cushions, plates and the likes were all sold.
He mentioned some of the villages deserted as Fafara, Garin Labo, Tagwaye, Garin Dodo, Karewa, Sabon Gari, Garin Gado, Mallamawa and Kwari, all in Jibia Local Government Area of the state.
“Most of the people in these villages I mentioned were driven away by insecurity; what disturbed them most wasn’t the robbery, but the rape that their women were usually made to go through and sometimes the killings of their people,” he said.
In the same vein, our source at Sabuwa Local Government Area said many villages, majority of them which are gateways through which the bandits pass through and back to their hideouts in the forests have been completely deserted.
“Amongst the villages deserted in Sabuwa Local Government Area are Unguwar Tinau, Unguwar Ladan, Gulange, Dugun Kadarko, Kimba, Dankure, Gwammaja, Unguwar Madugu, Albasun Alhaji Bako and Unguwar Nakaba.
It was learnt that most of these villages were frequented by the bandits and as such, locals could no longer withstand the situation and decided to leave.
A local at Faskari LGA informed our correspondent that some villages such as Hurumin Kogo, Yartsamiya and Kadi were abandoned from what he could recollect.
When asked about those who occupy these villages after their owners had abandoned them, the source said most have been deserted with no one occupying them, adding that some were suspected to be used as hideouts by the bandits.
Also, at Dandume LGA some villages such as Kurar Mota and Gidan Bido were among those abandoned.
At Musa Local Government Area, our correspondent learnt that 50 per cent of the villagers have deserted their communities to more secured locations.
“Recently, I visited villages such as Garin Barza, Gurzar Kuka and Kureshe, where, at least, 40 per cent of the people have migrated to other places,” he said.
Residents take refuge in schools in Sokoto
In Sokoto, the story is not different as many communities have come under attacks.
Communities such as Deyi Deyeji, Akilli and Tabanni villages have been deserted due to attacks by bandits. The villages had experienced different banditry attacks as a result of which several lives were lost, especially in Tabanni village.
Tabanni, a remote community in Gandi district of Rabah Local Government Area shares border with Maradun, a local government area in Zamfara State.
The village was attacked in 2018 by bandits, who were said to have come from Zamfara State. The attack had led to the death of several people, including women and children while those who survived it fled to Gandi, the headquarters of the local government area, where some of them still take refuge in public schools.
It was not only Tabanni that was deserted, as the people of the neighbouring Akilli village also fled at the time for fear of being the next target.
Residents of Deyeji village in Gudu Local Government Area were recently sacked by the bandits.
The bandits, who killed a mentally sick woman, also shot three other persons who are still recuperating at the hospital.
Daily Trust Saturday learnt that for Tabanni and Akilli, majority of the residents have completely relocated to Gandi but few have returned.
“The villages sacked in the area were many, but residents of other villages have returned. We only have the people of Tabanni and Akilli still living in our schools, “a resident of Gandi told Daily Trust Saturday.
A resident of Tabanni, who’s now displaced, told Daily Trust Saturday that they were still getting reports of bandits coming to steal animals from those who had returned home.
Malam Sani of Deyeji village, however, said that many residents of the village were returning as normalcy is gradually returning to the area.
“But we are still afraid of another attack because these people can attack at will, especially now that there are no security operatives in the village,” he said.
Sani called on the government to deploy more security operatives in the area.
Villages in 14 LGAs deserted in Zamfara
In Zamfara State, dozens of communities across the 14 Local Government Areas of the state have been deserted following unending deadly attacks on them by armed men.
The wave of horrific raids and kidnappings that hit the farming and herding communities have forced over 31,402 to flee their homes to neighbouring towns and villages for safety.
The Zamfara State Directorate of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has said that based on data received from the Federal Bureau of Statistics, over 6,354 people were killed in the state by bandits from 2011 to date.
The Special Adviser to Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle on Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Fa’ika M Ahmed, said according to the report, 3,704 people were kidnapped, 4,016 houses were destroyed while 394,028 animals were rustled in the state.
In Kawaye district in Anka Local Government Area of the state, about 12 villages have been deserted owing to the series of attacks and abductions by armed bandits.
Aliyu Muhammad Kawaye told Daily Trust Saturday that some of the residents that fled their homes were taking shelter in his village before they were displaced again by attacks on his community in 2019 and 2020.
“I can tell you that in Kawaye district; only Dawan Jiya community is not deserted. In August 2018, villages like Tamuzge, Sabuwar Tunga, Tungar Daji, Tashar Birai, Tintija, were deserted by their residents.
“The residents abandoned their crops on farms and fled after the suspected armed bandits and cattle rustlers had slammed heavy levies on them as a precondition for peace.
“Communities with 10 to 20 or more households had fled their homes for more than five years in some of the cases,” he said.
A notorious armed bandit and cattle rustler identified as Gajere was said to be the brain behind series of kidnappings for ransom and cattle rustling in the district and many other places.
“Millions of naira in levies had been collected from these communities by the gang led by Gajere and when the residents felt they could no longer withstand the ugly situation, they abandoned the communities,” he said.
Checks by Daily Trust revealed that the communities of Zanuka, Tungar Tirke, Baude, Duhuwa, in Bawar Daji district have all been abandoned by the residents. In that particular district, residents can only be found in Gobirawa and Bagega communities.
However, there have been suspicions by many other people as to why the residents of Dawan Jiya and Gobirawa communities have managed to remain despite a series of deadly raids on their neighbourhoods.
In Dansadau district in Maru Local Government Area, residents told our correspondent that about 30 villages have been deserted.
A resident of the area, Halliru Dansadau, said villages like Mai Getso, Kamgam, Mai Rediyo, Saulawa, Gangaren Aura and Gidan Hanza have all been abandoned by residents.
“The rate at which armed bandits are assaulting them had become unbearable,” Dansadau said.
Another resident, Yau Dansadau, listed other ghost communities to include Gwauron Dutse, Danmani, Guru, Jesa, Tungar Rakumi, Gobirawar Madada, Farar Doka, Maimarahu, Kwa’e and Fankashi.
In the same vein, about six villages were abandoned by the residents in Kware district of Shinkafi Local Government Area. Residents said Atarawa, Ursasa, Farin Dutse, Unwala, Kukar Banda and Gobirawa have become ghost towns.
In March 2019, more than 60 persons were killed in Kware district of Shinkafi LGA in two major attacks by the armed bandits and cattle rustlers.
The story is the same in Tsafe Local Government Area as Asaula and Rugumawa, I, II and III communities have since turned ghost communities according to a resident, Aminu Muhammad.
He said although few residents have managed to go back to see if they could start a new life, they did not find it easy staying there as few days after they returned, bandits attacked the communities again.
However, a resident, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, told Daily Trust Saturday that the cases of desertion were minimal in recent times in the area, adding that a lot of the displaced persons had gone back to their homes.
In Maradun LGA, communities such as Malamai, Falau, Gwargwawo, Gyabbawa, Kuzi, Rudunu, Mallamawa, Indalumo, Tangyalloli, Ruwan Bado, Sububu, Gidan Dawa, Rugar Dutse and Dale have all become shadows of their former selves, Daily Trust Saturday gathered.
Some of the residents who managed to return to their communities, our correspondent learnt, met their shops and farms destroyed.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle on Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Fa’ika M Ahmed, said the Directorate has swung into action to see that they assist those affected by the attack across the state, especially women, youths and children with food items, clothes and empowerment programmes.
Hajiya Fa’ika said the assistance and empowerment to the vulnerable people became necessary because they don’t want to see IDPs camp in any part of the state due to the associated negative implications such as rape and spread of communicable diseases.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III recently said that the north is the worst place to live in Nigeria.
“Couple of weeks ago, 76 people were killed in Sokoto by bandits in a day, it is not a story because I went there with the governor in Eastern part of Sokoto but you don’t hear these stories because it happened in the North and we don’t have media that is strong enough to bring out these atrocities about the bandits so people think that the North is secure.
“No north is not secure at all. It is the worst place to be in this country because bandits go about in the villages with their AK47 and nobody talks to them. They stop at the markets and buy things and even collect change with their weapons,” the Sultan said.
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