LG chairman worried over influx of bandits

The chairman of Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Mamuda Hassan Tabla, has raised the alarm over an alleged influx of bandits displaced from Zamfara State into his community.

He said the bandits in large numbers settled at the Lame/Burra Game Reserve, terrorising residents of Burra and neighbouring communities in the area.

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Tabla, who disclosed this Friday during a chat with newsmen in Bauchi, said the bandits had been wreaking havoc in the area, kidnapping and robbing people.

“Last year, the people of Burra paid over N72 million as ransom to kidnappers to secure the release of their people from captivity,” he said.

He said residents of the area were living in palpable fear due to the activities of bandits, adding that the council had received several complaints from Burra communities and farmers’ association about the criminal activities of the strangers from Zamfara State.

He said the matter had been reported to the governor and the council met with traditional rulers, security operatives and all relevant stakeholders on how to tackle the menace.