The Unending Banditry in Attakar Chiefdom of Kaduna State
John Shiklam writes that two communities in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who fled their homes about five months ago following attacks by suspected to herdsmen, have refused to return to their homes despite assurances that peace has returne
Residents of two communities in Attakar Chiefdom, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna state are still under trauma since their villages were attacked by suspected herdsmen sometime in June 2019. Seven people were said to have been killed during the incident while their homes and property worth millions of naira were burnt by the rampaging gunmen. Hundreds of them fled their homes to various communities, where they have been squatting with relations, friends or kind hearted people in neighbouring communities.
On Saturday, November 9, 2019, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provided relief materials to cushion the effect of the attack.
The donation from NEMA followed appeals to the federal government by the the Deputy Minority Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gideon Barde who represents Kaura Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Hundreds of the victims mostly women and children had stormed the Attakar Model Primary School, where the materials were handed over to the leaders of the communities in the presence of the paramount ruler of the area, the federal lawmaker and other dignitaries who witnessed the event.
Some of the victims who spoke in an interview with THISDAY said they had suffered untold hardship following repeated attacks by the bandits.
They revealed that had been squatting with relations and kind hearted people for the past four months following the incident which rendered them homeless.
However, despite appeals and assurances by their paramount ruler, the Agwam Attakar, His Royal Highness, Tobias Wada, that they should return to their communities, they don’t feel safe returning home without adequate security in their communities.
Speaking in an interview, one of the victims, Mrs. Rahila Bitrus from Zangang village said she, alongside many others, lost everything they had laboured for their entire lives.
The 70 years old woman who broke down in tears as she was narrating the ugly experience said her village, Zangang, was attacked on three occasions leading to the death of many, adding that the herdsmen had become a nightmare to them as their farms were being destroyed and people were being killed.
“When we farm, they will come and burn the farms. They destroy our farms with their cows. Even when the crops that survive their destruction is due for harvest and we go to harvest it, they will chase us away. We don't know how this problem could be addressed,” she said
According to her, many of those who fled their homes months ago have been surviving on charity from relations, churches and well meaning individuals.
“Initially we were kept in a camp and security personal were deployed to provide security for us, but after some time, the camp was attacked and we ran away to neighbouring villages as they were gripped by fear of the unknown and the security personnel left. They are saying we should go back, but we cannot go back without adequate security. If they bring security personnel, we will go back and start building our homes. But without security, there is no guarantee that they will allow us to return and start rebuilding our houses,” she said.
“We are therefore, pleading with the government, if they love us, let them adopt measures that will help us. We are helpless, there is no where we can express our feelings to government except through you people in the media.
“Schools have been closed in Zangang because of the attacks. Our children no longer go to school. I am using this medium to tell government that our lives have been ruined. Our children's future is being threatened. We don’t like to be giving relief materials all the time. It will get to a time that we will reject these relief materials in future if things continue like this” she said, adding that what is paramount is to ensure security, peace and justice.
“Why is it difficult for government to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of this evil against us? Are they above the law? Why do they allow them to carry guns and be terrorising us? If we are also allowed to carry guns, they cannot stand us. So government must do something. What we need most, is peace, not relief materials. If there is no peace, we will not make progress,” she said.
She however commended Hon. Gideon Gwani for his untiring efforts in ensuring that the victims of the attacks are supported.
Also speaking in an interview, another victim, Mr. Barnabas Musa lamented that the Zangang and Kirim communities have been suffering from repeated attacks by herdmen. He said two communities- Zangang and Kirim were destroyed and the villagers had fled their homes for their dear lives.
“Your home is you home, we cannot abandon our homes. But we cannot return home without security presence. Our houses were burnt, there is no how we will return without rebuilding our homes because we will have no place to put our heads. They burnt our foodstuffs and destroyed our farms and we will need food if we have go back” he said.
He noted that the donation by NEMA will cushion the effect of the challenges facing the
The paramount ruler of Attakar Chiefdom, the Agwam Attakar, HRH, Mr. Tobias Wada addressing the people during the donation of relief materials by NEMA at the Model Primary School, Attakar
villagers, but it will not solve the problem. He maintained that what is needed most is, lasting peace.
However, addressing the people during the occasion, the paramount ruler of the Attakar Chiefdom, the Agwam Attakar, Tobias Wada, pleaded with the communities to return to their homes, saying peace had returned.
He said: “If we abandon Zangang district to be taken over by grasses, we will not find things easy in future. Therefore, I plead with all of you who have abandoned your homes to go back. We cannot accept donations from government and then we refuse to go back to your homes.”
Revealing that NEMA also donated cement and other items to enable them rebuild their homes which were destroyed, he called on them to shun rumours being peddled around about planned attacks by the Fulanis, explaining that he had confronted the Fulani Ardo (leader) who by the Qur’an swore that the rumours are false.
“I am begging you people from Zangang and Kirim to go back home. I want you to be patient. Peace has returned. The police has assured that they will continue with patrol. We have been trying to ensure that a permanent police post is established in Zangang. We have been talking with all the Fulanis who are our neighbours, therefore, I urge you not to be scared,” he pleaded.
The traditional ruler thanked the federal lawmaker representing the area for taking the cries of his people to the federal government which led to the donation of the materials, saying that it will go along way in helping the people.
“The affected communities, are border areas
between Kaduna and Plateau states. So I am using this opportunity to call on the governments of the two states to assist us so that peace will return to these villages,” he added.
The traditional ruler said he had suggested the need for the establishment of a police outpost, adding that Kaura Local Government had graciously built a structure for that purpose and was about to be commissioned when the attacks happened. “We are appealing to government to ensure a permanent police presence at these borders so that we can have peace”, he said.
The traditional ruler who disclosed that the Kaduna State government and Kaura Local Government had earlier made similar donations of relief materials to victims of the incident, called on the affected persons to avoid bickering and backbiting during the distribution of the NEMA materials.
On his part, Hon. Gideon Gwani, representing Kaura Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives expressed sadness over the persistent attacks on the people and urged them to be patient and prayerful.
Gwani who is the Deputy Minority Chief Whip in the lower chambers said: “What has happened to my constituency is a sad. Seven people lost their lives. Nine people were seriously injured, 48 houses were burnt and people were displaced while a Catholic Church and the pastorium as well as an Anglican Church was razed during the attack. This has always been the case. It is not the first time, our people have been traumatised over and over again”.