Residents of Gwana, Digare, Garin Mansur and Yalo villages in Gwana district of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State have fled to neighbouring communities in Gombe State following incessant attacks by armed bandits.
The Bauchi State Police Command said it recorded four separate attacks in the area within two weeks.
The first attack occurred in Digare, where six people were abducted, while two were later rescued.
The second attack took place in Garin Kwairi, where a councillor and two women were abducted.
The bandits also attacked Gwana, killing two soldiers and one vigilante member.
However, villagers and security personnel repelled the assault and reportedly killed seven bandits in the process.
In another attack on Kafin Duguri village, four residents lost their lives, although locals claimed that more than 20 bandits were killed during the confrontation.
Some of the displaced residents said they abandoned their homes and properties due to repeated bandit attacks.
They disclosed that many fled to Kumo, Gombe, Kashere, Alkaleri and other parts of Bauchi State, while others sought refuge in safer areas of Plateau and Taraba states.
Speaking at the Central Primary School in Kashere, Gombe State, where they are sheltering, the displaced villagers said bandits often stormed their communities at night or even in broad daylight, rustling cattle, looting property and abducting residents for ransom.
They said families left behind farmlands, livestock and personal belongings, unsure of when they would return.
Many hurriedly packed a few belongings, loaded household items onto vehicles and motorcycles, and fled in palpable fear.
Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Alkaleri Local Government Area, currently taking shelter at the Central Primary School in Kashere, Gombe State, following recent bandit attacks on their communities in Bauchi State.
During the visit, Mohammed described the attackers as heavily armed and numerous, posing serious challenges even to security forces.
He noted, however, that youths in some affected communities resisted the attacks, forcing the bandits to retreat into nearby forests and mountainous areas.
As part of immediate relief efforts, Governor Mohammed announced a donation of N50 million and several truckloads of food items to the IDPs to ease their hardship.
The governor also disclosed plans to recruit about 2,000 youths into a vigilante group to work alongside security agencies to strengthen security in the affected communities.
Daily Trust
