Rural communities in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State are returning to their farms following continuous military onslaught on bandits harbouring in surrounding forest areas. Villagers in Fatika District told Arewa Trust Weekly that kidnapping for ransom has been on the decline since the commencement of the military operation, and confirmed that dozens of bandits have been killed through air and ground operations.
“This has paved the way for us to return to our farms, unhindered with no fear of intimidation,” Malam Habibu Ibrahim said. He said bandits no longer breeze into their villages at will to attack and intimidate them, and urged the federal government to sustain the onslaught until all bandits are dislodged and crushed.
Sani Samaila, a farmer in the community, said it will take time before residents return to neighbouring villages that had been deserted due to attacks, but stressed that with sustained operation on bandits, villagers will summon the courage to return to their homes.
Samaila, who said the telecommunication shut -down had contributed to the successes of the military operation, added that he has also returned to his farm alongside many farmers.
“Before now, it was a big risk to go to the farms. If you’re lucky, the gunmen will only warn you not to return otherwise they will kill or abduct you. Many of our farmers were abducted and we had to raise money as a community to get them freed,” he said. He urged security agents to set up military posts along communities that border the frontline states to serve as a buffer for bandits fleeing from one area of operation to another.
