Residents flee, as bandits strike Abuja, Niger border’s communities
Joseph Irikefe
Following the constant wave of terror attacks on some communities in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, which shares a boundary with the nation’s capital, Abuja, residents of the area have now been displaced as they fled their homes, seeking refuge in urban centres of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Garam, which shares a boundary with Kuduru, another troubled community in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, has been under severe attacks from bandits since December 24, 2023.
The raging attacks yesterday also spread to Zuma community, in the Bwari Area Council.
Recall that on December 24, bandits invaded Garam community, which is a five-minute drive from Bwari in the FCT, killing a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God while kidnapping 13 other persons.
On December 28, bandits again invaded Kuduru in FCT, kidnapping 18 persons. Similarly, on Friday, December 29, bandits invaded Azu in Niger State, killing three people and kidnapping eight others.
However, following the ceaseless attacks, residents of Garam decided against observing the Watchnight or Crossover Service on December 31, 2023. A resident of the community, who pleaded anonymity, said most churches in the area observed the crossover service between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., while a handful of churches with adequate security observed the crossover service between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
The source added that the bandits returned on January 2, 2024, kidnapping a whole family, adding that the soldiers stationed in Azu, a neighbouring community, only arrived after the bandits had left.
Another resident said people are moving out of Garam in droves, while those who built houses there have sought refuge in other places. He said the sprawling community is now being deserted, as the military appears to have ran out of ideas to tame the bandits. The source added that it appears the bandits are targeting those with cars who can easily muster ransom payments if kidnapped.
Yesterday’s early morning attack on Zuma reportedly led to the shooting of two security personnel, who were said to be receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital, while a yet-to-be-ascertained number of people were abducted.
The morning attack would be the fifth in the series since the attacks began on Christmas Eve, with residents putting the estimates of kidnapped people at over 55.
Although three persons were killed in the series, a fourth was reported to have died based on the traumatic experience of losing her husband to the kidnappers.