Pandogari community in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger was attacked by bandits on Wednesday, resulting in the kidnapping of six teenage girls and the killing of one person.
Saturday Tribune investigation gathered that the recent kidnapping of six members of the community, all females between the ages of 15 and 17 years once again brought to fore the perceived acute security situation in rural areas which have suffered long years of horrific terrorist’s attacks and displacement.
Reliable sources within the community members who spoke to the Saturday Tribune on the condition of anonymity during an interview by telephone conversation said terrorists, suspected to be from the notorious Dogo Gide terror group, came to the community around midnight, through the Mamman Kontagora Technical College, Pandogari and seized the six young ladies, killed one boy identified as Aliyu (other names withheld) and moved them to Kwangel, a settlement deep in the bush.
A source familiar with terrain who would not want his names in the Prints said the bandits were led by a certain notorious kidnapper named Hudu, a Fulani from Maganda village and one Umaru Gunte popularly known as U-Gemu.
Hudu and U-Gemu were said to have been born and brought up in Pandogari. The source added that majority of the victims numbering over 200 who were said to have been kidnapped in the past two months around the restive areas in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi Local Government Areas of the state ,were allegedly held in camps in Kwangel, Galadima Kogo and Sambaro villages.
The source further disclosed that the bandits, said to have been aware of the presence of military detachment in Pandogari, came heavily armed with large catche of explosives in readiness for any confrontation.
“But you know this was averted because the military camped at the entrance of the town from Kagara the Headquarters of Rafi LGA while the terrorists used to come from the Birnin Gwari axis near the Technical College which is their normal route,” the source said.
On Thursday this week, the member representing Rafi Constituency in the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Zubairu Isma’ila Zannan Kwangoma, raised the alarm, saying, “terrorists had, within just a month, kidnapped 122 persons and killed two in his constituency.”
He noted that communities such as Pandogari, Gidigori, Ringa, and Kawo were most affected, suffering displacement, economic hardship, and agricultural destruction.
It could however be recalled that during a New Year raid in Pandogari, over 40 persons were kidnapped and five others killed in a daring attack that sent shockwaves in the community and left residents wonder whether the situation could ever be brought to an end.
Last week, ST learnt and exposed the Internal strife among terrorists in Rafi, Shiroro and Munya LGAs of Niger State,for control of territory which further destroyed the hopes of villagers returning to their ancestral homes/villages after more than eight years of living in dehumanizing conditions in various Internally Displaced (IDPs) camps.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago during project tour in Gwada and Kuta towns of Shiroro local government area announced his government’s intention to construct 3,000 housing units for people displaced by banditry to settle until the insecurity situation is brought to an end. .
However, with the recent resurgence of banditry activities and the take over of permanent territory belonging to the natives, there seems to be no hope of return in sight.
“Our prayers always are for us and our children to return to our ancestral homes. There is no place like home. We left our farms, homes, our parent’s graves and everything we’re used to to settle in this strange conditions.
“We’re the only people treated this way and with all what we are hearing, there is no hope that one day or soon we shall return to our native lands,” Abu Zarmai, one of the internally displaced villagers cried out.
