Communities of Tunburku village in Kidandan ward of Giwa LGA of Kaduna State have staged a peaceful protest against the incessant banditry and kidnappings in their area.
The protesters, in their thousands consisting of the young and elderly, staged the protest at the Zazzau Emirate Palace in Zaria.
Malam Yusuf Jibrin, the leader of the protesters, said they were very worried about the frequent attacks in their community, adding that the activities of bandits and other criminal elements in the area were no longer bearable.
He said banditry had grounded agriculture and other economic activities in the area and further jeopardized the peace and security of the entire community.
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Amiru Abubakar, another resident of Tunburku told the emir that the bandits killed and abducted members of the community at will, adding that in some cases, they were only allowed to farm after payment of huge ransom.
He said the bandits also abused their wives in broad daylight; and “steal our animals while treating us as slaves.”
He added that currently, “many households in the village don’t have food to eat hence our appeal for royal attention and quick intervention.”
In his response, the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, while commiserating with the community, said the village head of Kidandan used to report the unfortunate situation to the council regularly. “In fact the situation in Giwa Local Government Area always gives us sleepless nights.”
He lamented the poor security situation around Zaria and affirmed his commitment to forward the complaint to the higher authorities for prompt action.
The emir, who abandoned the State Security Council meeting to return and attend to the community, assured them that he had intimated the state governor of their complaint before taking an excuse from the meeting.
He pleaded with the community members to exercise patience, stating that the state government’s plans to improve security personnel in the area were ongoing.
Bamalli, however, cautioned the community against protest and urged them to explore appropriate and legal means of expressing their grievances.
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