Forests bordering Bauchi with Taraba, Plateau, hideout for bandits – Alkaleri LG Chairman

By Mohammed Kaka Misau, Bauchi

The Executive Chairman of Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi state, Yusuf Garba has disclosed that, thick forests around the boundaries of Bauchi with Taraba and Plateau states have been serving as a hiding place for bandits and other criminally minded people.

Yusuf Garba made this known on Saturday when he received Governor Bala Mohammed of the state, accompanied by the commissioner of Police, Umar Mamman Sanda and other government officials who paid a sympathy visit on Sabongari Community over a recent banditry attacks.

The Chairman who lamented the rampant cases of banditry in Gwana district of the LG, regretted that the attacks led to the death of some residents, including a woman who attempted to stop the criminals from abducting or killing her son.

“Your Excellency, about three or four weeks ago, communities of this local government were confronted with challenges of insecurity from bandits who have taken it upon themselves as an occupation”, the LG Chairman said.

The local government chairman added that, “in Gwana, such incident has become rampant because it is bordering two states of Taraba and Plateau. There are thick forests that have served as a hiding place for the criminals”.

He noted that the bandits have been terrorising communities of Pali, Kwala, Mai Ari, Bele, Jada and Sabongari, where they kept on kidnapping people during which death were recorded, including a woman.

“Your Excellency, apart from this community, there are other communities, Joro Boro and Gwana where similar incident occurred, we went there with the district head of Pali and commiserated with them on your behalf”, he said.

The Chairman who commended the governor for taking prompt action on the incident also applauded the effort of the DPO of Alkaleri for ensuring quick response to distress calls.

While thanking the traditional leaders for contributing towards security of lives and properties, the LG Chairman charged them to always report the presence of strangers to the nearest authorities.

“The security agencies cannot do it alone, I am pleading with members of the public to please report any suspicious movements to the relevant channels close to you, that is how security can be restored in our communities.

Also speaking, the Bauchi state Commissioner of Police, Umar Mamman Sanda called on members of the public to always report suspicious movements to the police for quick response.

The CP advised the law abiding citizens to give information to the police in order to help them in their role of ensuring security of lives and properties.

Governor Bala Mohammed while responding, called on the affected communities and the entire people of Bauchi state to intensify prayers for God’s intervention.

Bala who said he was deeply touched by the activities of the bandits who have tempered with the peaceful coexistence in the state, urged the citizens to ensure Community vigilance.

He said that the state government will do everything possible to safeguard the lives and properties of the citizens, adding that his administration will not allow criminals to retard the peace been enjoyed in the state.