Residents of Maganda Village, located in Magajin Gari Ward III of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have abandoned their homes following the withdrawal of security personnel stationed in the area.
It was gathered that some villagers left due to fear of potential attacks by bandits who have been terrorising the communities for years, reports Daily Trust.
Residents said the security personnel, deployed to protect the villagers, left the area last Saturday without prior notice, causing confusion among the locals.
Ismail A. Ahmed, a resident of the area and a former councillor who evacuated his wife and children from the community, said as soon as the security personnel left, the bandits invaded the community, going from house to house to collect people’s phones and money without facing any challenges.
He said most villagers have abandoned their houses, leaving behind their farm crops and other belongings.
“I left with my family because we are not safe. Most people left their crops behind and left with minimal belongings to save their lives because the bandits entered house after house, confiscating phones and money from people,” he said.
Ishaq Usman Kasai, Chairman of Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU), confirmed the incident and appealed to the government, particularly the military authorities to promptly redeploy their personnel to the area to protect the innocent villagers.