Terrorists, Bandits Now Rape Our Women, Zamfara Indigene Laments
Banditry in rural Zamfara State has escalated, with criminals now targeting married women and girls for rape within their own homes.
This disturbing trend coincided with the apprehension of suspected bandits by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army, who revealed having sponsors during interrogation.
Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has offered a N20 million reward for information leading to the capture of three notorious kidnappers operating in the territory.
In Kalgon Kunci village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, the bandits have also carried out killings and various other heinous crimes, as reported by an anonymous local resident.
According to an interview with BBC Hausa Service in Kaduna, the situation has prompted 70% of villagers to relocate elsewhere due to the pervasive insecurity.
‘’Previously the bandits would come to our community, humiliate us, rustle our animals and abduct people for ransom. Now, they come in broad daylight and remain till midnight.
“They will be dressed in uniform carrying weapons. I swear, it has reached a level that they would enter any house they liked and rape women.
‘’If any woman resists them, they would abduct her, do whatsoever they want with her in the bush and bring her back after two, three or four days,’’ said the resident who pleaded anonymity.
For more than a decade, he remarked that not a single police officer had been stationed in the area, creating a circumstance where bandits could openly humiliate members of the community.
“We are now under the control of these bandits. During the harvest season, they asked us to give them N15 million before we can harvest our farm produce. All households contributed and we gave them the money.
‘’Three days after, they stopped us from harvesting and set our farm produce on fire,” he lamented.
He claimed that they pleaded with the authorities for help, but their pleas went unanswered. As a result, many have been compelled to relocate.
“Whoever has a place to run has left. People are leaving Kuncin Kalgo on daily basis,” he said.
In response to the unfolding situation, the Zamfara State Government has affirmed its commitment to addressing the menace.
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Sulaiman Bala Idris, the spokesperson for the state governor, stated yesterday, “The current state of affairs is concerning, and the government is actively pursuing measures to resolve it.”
“Not only in that community, but also to bring a lasting end to this crisis by Almighty Allah’s grace.’’
Commander Olusola Odumosu of the FCT NSCDC command made these revelations while presenting 42 suspects at the command headquarters in Abuja yesterday. He also highlighted the successful collaboration between the Corps and the Department of State Services, DSS, resulting in the apprehension of five members of a vigilance team who exploited their positions to vandalize critical national assets within the FCT.
During the presentation of the suspects, Odumosu stated, “I urged our officers and personnel to intensify efforts against criminal elements within our jurisdiction through enhanced intelligence gathering.”
“I am happy to announce to you today (yesterday) that the charge is paying off. Acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army, 42 suspected bandits and terrorists operating under the cover of being miners of solid minerals have been arrested. The arrest took place on Monday, February 11, 2024, at about 0600hrs.
“The suspects were intercepted at the forest of Tsaumi Village bordering Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State”.
He stated that initial investigations conducted by the Corps indicated that the individuals in question are bandits escaping the ongoing military operation in Zamfara State.
They are purportedly traversing the forest area of Niger State, making their way into the Federal Capital Territory via Gwagwalada Area Council, with their destination being Pai Village in Kwali Area Council.
“In the course of interrogation, they were unable to disclose the mining site and company name they alleged to be working for.
“Further investigations revealed that this group of young men have been operating within Zamfara, Kogi and Niger states.
‘’At the time they were intercepted, they had no evidence to show they were going on mining activities which suggests they have a sinister agenda.
“They have also confessed to having sponsors. However, investigations in that regard is still ongoing and you will be intimated when it is concluded,” Odumosu said.
He stated that the suspects had been collaborating with the authorities by providing valuable information, which will aid in assessing their degree of participation in banditry and kidnapping activities in the FCT.
Odumosu also mentioned that once investigations are finalized and their role in criminal activities is established, appropriate measures will be taken accordingly.
“In the same vein our operational synergy with the men of Department of State Security Services led to the arrest of one Bartholomew Anthony, a male, 27years old from Kaura Local Government area of Kaduna State. He was arrested at the mabushi axis of the FCT.
“The said Bartholomew Anthony was arrested with the following exhibits…
Pieces of Armoured cables, one hacksaw, one Jack knife, one Techno Bolton handset and N20,000.
“The suspect made useful statements that led our operatives to arrest three of his other accomplices, including Hakilu Muhammed “M” 25 years old from Shango LGA Niger state, Abdulrahaman Abbas “M” 30 years old from Unguwan Sarki Piako LGA, Niger state, and Samaila Promise “M” 20 years old from Karim Lamido, Taraba state.
“All four arrested suspects belong to a syndicate that specialize in vandalism and theft of armoured cables in the FCT,” he said.
He asserts that the individuals in question are part of a vigilance group, leveraging their claimed association with the security organization to perpetrate atrocious deeds.
Odumosu added: “We have profiled them and their statements obtained, they will soon be arraigned in court for justice to prevail.
“I want to assure residents of the FCT that we will not rest on our oars until we rid the FCT of all criminal elements that want to make the FCT unsafe for habitation.
‘’I want to also appeal to the general public to report all suspicious persons, as security is everyone’s business.’’
Yesterday, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike announced a N20 million reward for information leading to the apprehension of three notorious kidnappers plaguing the region.
Wike’s declaration coincided with the FCT police command’s dismantling of a notorious 7-member kidnapping syndicate, responsible for numerous abductions throughout Abuja over the past few weeks.
