Panic in Birnin-Gwari as fleeing terrorists from Zamfara close in

Following soldiers’ onslaught on terrorists in Zamfara State, fear has gripped residents of Birnin-Gwari Local Council of Kaduna State, as fleeing bandits approach Birnin-Gwari town, headquarters of the council. 

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has assured the residents of its readiness to protect them Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mohammed Jalige, said the command would protect the villagers and their property, adding that the fleeing bandits would not be allowed to operate.

In an interview, yesterday, the Dan Masanin Birnin-Gwari and former Managing Director of Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Zubairu Abdurra’uf, alleged that fear gripped the people, as the fleeing terrorists became a regular sight in communities bordering Birnin-Gwari.

He said: “There were reports by the locals that they were in the vast forest of Birnin-Gwari, particularly Kudaru forest, and the terrorists are closing in on Birnin-Gwari main town.

“This is because, right now, the Government Science Secondary School, Birnin-Gwari, which was renamed Jibril Mai Gwari Science Secondary School, just close to the field base of the Army, was closed down for one week due to fear of attacks by the terrorists.”

According to him, the situation is taking a dangerous dimension because farmers cannot access their farms anymore due to the activities of terrorists.

“From Birnin-Gwari town, on your way to Kaduna, the terrorists have closed in. They are less than a kilometre to the main town, as they have passed Unguwan Shekarau.

“The terrorists were seen around Health Technology, a private community health outfit in Birnin-Gwari. They were also seen around Low-Cost Housing area, along Birnin-Gwari Kaduna highway. The Low-Cost is just a kilometre from Birnin-Gwari,” he added.

On Wednesday evening, locals in hamlets along the Zamfara/Kaduna border towns said they saw the fleeing bandits in their numbers, wielding dangerous weapons. 

A resident of Damari village said the hoodlums arrived in the afternoon. He said: “They have been arriving at the nearby Kudaru Forest since Tuesday. When the terrorists were seen entering the main town, people started to run.”