Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has raised alarm that terrorists and bandits fleeing from Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kaduna States have relocated in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja border communities.

Governor Sule, who spoke two days after ordering the closure of all schools in the State following security concerns, also said large number of the fleeing terrorists have relocated to Rugan Juli and Rugan Madaki in Karu Local Government on the borders of Abuja as well as Wamba and Toto Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State.

This is just as hundreds of villagers in Damari town under Kazage Ward in the Eastern part of Birnin-Gwari LGA of Kaduna State are fleeing their homes en masse after another set of terrorists dislodged members of the Ansaru terrorist group after a fierce fight last week.

With the new set of terrorists abducting at least 50 persons in the last three days, the locals now believe that Ansaru terrorists were lesser evils compared to the terror gangs who abduct people for ransom, loot property or kill those who show little resistance to their excesses. 

Governor Sule said at the expanded security meeting held in Government House, Lafia on Sunday that Nasarawa has to take proactive measures considering the security situation across the country, particularly the FCT, where over 800 inmates escaped from the Kuje Correctional Centre, recently.

The Governor said the decision to shut down schools, except for those writing their final NECO examination, was taken in the interest of all, adding that arrangements had been made to beef up security at venues where students were still sitting for examinations.

He appreciated the security agencies operating in the state and traditional rulers for their continued roles in addressing security challenges.

 The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adesina Soyemi, told journalists after the meeting that the Council decided that security operatives should increase patrols and raid hideouts of criminals.

Meanwhile, sources in Birnin-Gwari confirmed that the dislodged Ansaru terrorists have relocated to communities in Danmusa in Katsina State and parts of Zamfara and Sokoto States.

“It’s not yet clear if they’ve finally relocated or they’d seek reinforcement and come back in the coming days,” a native of the area said yesterday. 

It was learnt that most of the relocating locals passed through Unguwar Gajere towards  Layin Dan’auta where the district head lives.

The source said, “For now, the bandits are in charge and are having a field day attacking our people.

“Our people see the Ansaru fighters as protectors because they don’t attack or steal our property.  They only preach their kind of religion and urge our people, especially the youths, to join them. They also lead prayers like during the eid and arbitrate over land, marriage and other issues.”

The Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), in a statement by its chairman, Ishaq Usman Kasai, expressed concern over the rate at which people were fleeing the area.

He said women and children were seen trekking for safety as of 11 am on Friday with about 20 vehicles seen conveying people out of the community. 

“The union had reported two days ago, the cruel activities of bandits, killing and abducting people in Damari and adjourning areas.

“On Thursday, July 28, 2022, the bandits passed through the same Damari town shooting in the air sporadically and came back to the town in the early hours of Friday which is a market day, snatched motorcycles, seized money from marketers, rustled cattle and kidnapped scores, including a grain businesses man,” he said.

Ishaq said there was no presence of security agents in the town, adding that it was against this disturbing situation that they were calling on the authorities to urgently mobilise security personnel to the community.

There was no official comment from the military, the police and the Kaduna State Government. 

A resident, who simply identified himself as Mohammad Kuyello, said: “It was really sad seeing our people abandon their farms. They’re also leaving their property. The bandits have taken over Damari as we speak because they’re going house to house carting away foodstuffs and people’s property as if there is no government.”

Another source said between Saturday and Sunday, over 100 vehicles were seen taking people to safety. 

“People with their animals are still leaving as there’s no military presence. An influential medical personality, who has a hospital, mobilised troops who helped him evacuate his equipment from Damari.  

“The implication is that people prefer terrorists to bandits and this is dangerous because, by the time the terrorists fully indoctrinate the people and change their perception, they would collectively turn against the state and the people who refuse to join them.

“Of course, there’s a military super camp at Mu’azu, but they’re yet to respond to the emergency… Maybe they’re waiting for something,” he said.