Banditry: "Attack, Kill Them", Governor of Bauchi Charges Villagers

In what can best be described as a retaliatory attack, armed bandits have so far killed 20 people and injured several others in villages surrounding Duguri district of Alkaleri LGA in Bauchi.

Recall that recently the Bauchi State Police Command, in conjunction with local militiamen, stormed the forest in the area, killing 12 suspected bandits, including one of the kingpins who had terrorized the region.

Bauchi State Governor Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, who visited the region on Thursday, described the situation as "an unfortunate and unacceptable trend" that must be stopped at all costs.

Speaking at the palace of Yelwan Duguri District Chief, Alh Adamu Mohammed Duguri, the Governor, lamented that bandit activities in the area are getting out of hand as people can no longer engage in agriculture which is their mainstay.

Bala Mohammed instructed the people of the region to come forward to “rise up, take up arms and defend yourselves. You are known to be men, you must not let these evil elements subjugate you, defend your land and liberate you."

He also instructed people to search themselves and bring out bad eggs among them that serve as informants for bandits, pointing out that without inside information, bandits cannot operate.

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The governor assured that his administration will continue to work diligently with security agencies operating in the state to protect the lives and property of innocent citizens.

In Kafin Duguri, the Governor commended the people for standing up to defend themselves from the attacks of the bandits by wading through them when they tried to invade the village.

The governor told them to take up arms against the bandits and kill them if they tried to attack, saying, "I know you as warriors, including your women, rise up, defend your people and the neighborhood against the activities of bandits.

According to him, "this is how it should be, we should defend ourselves against all forms of banditry and criminal activity. What you did was the right thing and you should continue to do it even at your neighbours".

He however expressed his optimism that banditry in the region will end very soon, adding that "my administration will support you with logistics, equip you and arm you to be able to fight and repel the attackers".< /p>

“From now on, whoever comes to attack you to kill you, defend yourself, attack him and kill him, they cannot prevent us from living in peace. All these communities have existed for over 500 years, we will not allow these Zamfarawa (bandits) to drive us from our ancestral land,” he said.

He then assured that very soon a security outpost will be stationed in the area to work with the locals to strengthen security in the area just as he promised to adequately compensate the families who lost their loved ones attacking bandits.

The governor also commended the district chief for doing his best to keep people together despite the bandits' activities, urging him not to back down as the government will always support his efforts.

In his remarks, Yelwa Duguri District Chief, Alh Adamu Mohammed Duguri lamented that bandits have recently attacked communities in the area, killing people, destroying their homes and stealing their livestock.

The district chief specifically mentioned Rimi village as the most affected, with 20 people killed in the attacks while their attempt to attack Kafin Duguri failed as the villagers rose up to defend their village.