Bandits in Zamfara, Sokoto and parts of Kebbi and Katsina states have resorted to looting farms and shops following the shutdown of telecommunications networks in the areas.
Residents of local government areas affected by the shutdown said attacks by bandits had continued unabated despite the shutdown of telecommunications activities.
The government later extended the ban on telecoms services to parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states as part of efforts to stop killings and kidnapping by bandits.
According to them, bandits have blocked access to farms and started harvesting farmers’ crops for their personal consumption, thereby causing starvation in the affected communities
Residents of communities in Sokoto State disclosed that the terrorists were now writing them before and after attacks.
The PUNCH had on September 26 reported that killings had continued in Zamfara State despite the telecommunication shutdown.
According to the report, the Sarkin Shanu of Shinkafi, Dr Suleiman Shuaibu, had told the BBC Hausa Service that bandits had attacked at least eight villages, adding that at least 400 people had either been killed or abducted by the bandits. He stressed that the bandits were still killing the residents.
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Some traditional rulers, who confided in one of our correspondents, said the Zamfara State Government had barred them from speaking to the media on the insecurity in the state.
Bandits still on the rampage, I relocated to Gusau – Village head
A village head, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said he had abandoned his domain and relocated to the state capital, Gusau, due to persistent attacks by bandits.
He explained that all the villagers had fled to other places, lamenting, “The bandits have been terrorising and killing us; they are stealing our animals and foodstuffs.”
Many internally displaced persons from the attacked communities, who spoke to The PUNCH in Gusau, said the bandits were very active in the state.
Bandits in search of food break into shops, harvest crops planted by villagers
Fleeing villagers told The PUNCH that as a result of the security measures taken by the state government, the bandits had resorted to breaking into shops and harvesting crops planted by members of the communities in a desperate search for food.
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