Six farmers, including the Vice-Chairman of the Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus-Sunnah, Mallam Yakubu Muhammad Bugai, have been killed by bandits in Kaduna State‘s Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area.
The bandits were reported to have kidnapped over 40 farmers.
Ishaq Usman Kasai, Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives’ Union, stated this in a statement issued on Saturday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, according to him.
According to Kasai, the Islamic cleric was shot on Wednesday at his farmland near Rema and was later evacuated and taken to Jibril Mai-Gwari General Hospital with gunshot wounds to his abdomen and arm.
Unfortunately, the Islamic cleric died the next day around 7.30 p.m., he added.
“Until his murder, Mal Yakubu Bugai was a strong pillar, a pioneer member, and also the Vice-Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Orphans Foundation, which is an organisation devoted to taking care of thousands of Orphans left behind by mostly victims of armed banditry in the security ravaged area,” he said.
Similarly, the BEPU chief stated that the bandits abducted a large number of locals in the Kuyambana Forest, which served as a hideout for the hoodlums.
“The Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) mourns the death of Mal. Yakubu Muhammad Bugai, Vice-Chairman of Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus-Sunnah, Birnin-Gwari Branch, and three other farmers who were killed by the murderous armed bandits who have been unleashing terror in the area,” he said.
“On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, the JIBWIS Leader was shot at his farm in the Rema area. He was later evaluated and taken to Jibril Mai-Gwari General Hospital with gunshot wounds to his abdomen and arm.” Regrettably, he died the next day, Thursday, August 27th, 2023, at 7:30 a.m.
“In another sad development, a large number of locals were kidnapped at their farms around Sabon-Layi, Kurgi, Yelwa, Tashan-Keji, Shiwaka, Unguwan Danfulani, and many more rural Communities in the Western part of Birnin-Gwari who share boundaries with Kamuku and Kuyambana Forests, which are serving as Bandit hideouts.” In fact, the situation is so widespread and complex that it is difficult to choose which incidents to report.
“The bandits also herd over people’s farms in areas where, in the Sabon-layi Community alone, more than ten farms, particularly those with mature maize, have been deliberately cleared by the bandits’ cattle.”
“In fact, the Bandits told the farmers to stop wasting their time going to farm in the area because even if they do, they will not allow them to harvest and they may end up being killed or abducted.”
“On Friday 21-7-2023, the bandits invaded Ung. Bawa in Randagi Ward and kidnapped 28 people, including women and children, as well as killing one and shooting four people who are currently receiving medical attention at various health facilities,” he added. However, 13 of the captives have managed to flee the den.
