Kauru LG At The Mercy Of Bandits -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Kauru local government has become another bandits infested area with their rural farming communities under the siege of rapacious and daredevil bandits. Recently, the senator who represented Southern Kaduna, Marshall Katung, called both the federal and kaduna state government to do something urgently to bring to an end the menace of banditry activities in three local governments areas of southern kaduna, including kauru local government.The senator has indeed spoken the minds of many communities of kauru local government who in the last two years have never known peace due to the incessant attacks and kidnapping of helpless farmers by bandits. Last year,a retired CBN director was kidnapped and over# 300 million ransom paid before he gained his freedom. His abduction came at a time when many communities lost their loved ones through kidnapping and the lucky victims released after millions of naira paid as ransom.

The drove of displaced people scattered across kauru town and other adjacent communities such as Pambegua, point a dire situation that need an urgent attention. Many farming communities are yet to harvest their crops due to the fear of the unknown. In recent times, efforts were made by kauru local government chairman, Bashir Dawaki, to engage the services of civilians joint task force, popularly known as (Yan bulla) to provide security in remote rural areas. However, the “yan bulla” can not match the superior fire force of the well armed bandits. The “yan bulla” carried out a covert operations and combed up the forest which serve as the hideout of bandits. The operation which lasted for some hours ended up without achieving the desired objectives. The unsuccessful operation by CJTF further emboldened the bandits leading to more attacks and sacking of many communities.

Kauru local government is a predominantly farming area with majority of its people engaging in agriculture production. Economically, Kauru local government communities feed Kaduna State with grains, legumes and other consumable food stuffs and by extension the country at large. For instance, Pambegua, anchau and Saminaka markets get their uninterrupted supply of good and services from many kauru’s communities. With kauru’s communities experience frequent attacks and farmers abandon their farms, the grains supply chain has been disrupted with severe consequences on farming activities, jobs and wealth creation. Unless concerted efforts are put in place to nip into bud the dangerous activities of bandits in kauru local government, there is tendency that, many farmers will not cultivate their land next year. This will lead to food insecurity not only within the local government but also the state. Kauru local government has a vast and fertile land. It is estimated that no less than 50 tons of grains are being cultivated annually. Unfortunately, the bandits have reduced the area to ghost town as many inhabitants migrated to safer communities.

To address the banditry challenges of kauru local government, there is the need for Kaduna State government to solicit support of federal government to establish military formations. The victims of bandits in remote areas have complained they hardly got emergency response when they came under attacks. This can not be unconnected from the facts, security personnel,are far from bandits ravaged communities. If military formations are established in strategic locations across the nook and corner of kauru local government,to provide emergency security response in case of distress alarm,the activities of bandits can be squarely addressed. The government should also intensify intelligence gathering to identify informats and logistics suppliers.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State.08169056963.