In the wake of a series of reprisal attacks on the villages surrounding Duguri District of Alkaleri LGA, in Bauchi State, the State governor, Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, has charged the fleeing residents to henceforth rise up, take up arms and defend themselves.
Recall that no fewer than 20 people have been killed by terrorists in the State in what appears to be reprisal attacks. Several people were wounded and many villagers deserted their communities in the district.
Recently, the State Police Command, in collaboration with local vigilantes, stormed the forest in the area, killing 12 suspected terrorists, including one of the kingpins that had terrorised the area.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who paid a sympathy visit to the affected communities on Thursday, described the situation as unfortunate and unacceptable.
Speaking at the palace of the District Head of Yelwan Duguri, Adamu Mohammed Duguri, the governor lamented that the activities of bandits in the area were getting out of hand as the people could no longer engage in farming which is their mainstay.
Bala Mohammed said, “You are known to be men; you should not allow these bad elements to subdue you. Defend your land and liberate yourselves”. The governor declared that “From now on, anyone who comes to attack you to kill you, defend yourselves”.
He also charged the people to search themselves and bring out the bad eggs amongst them who are serving as informants to the bandits, stressing that without inside information, the bandits cannot operate.
The Governor assured that his administration will continue to work assiduously, in collaboration with the security agencies operating in the state to protect the lives and properties of innocent citizens.
He expressed optimism that very shortly, banditry will come to an end, as according to him, “my administration will support you with logistics, equip you, and arm you to be able to fight and repel the attackers”.
