From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor Dr Nasir Idris has promised to rebuild some of the villages burnt by the Lakurawa terrorists and provide the necessary financial assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Arewa Local Government Area.
Idris stated this during his sympathy visit to the temporary IDP camp at Kangiwa, the headquarters of Arewa Local Government, accompanied by members of his cabinet.
The Governor explained that he will liaise with military authorities to establish a permanent army base in the local government area for preventive and prompt responses to future attacks by bandits.
He immediately ordered the provision of 100 bags of millet and 100 bags of rice to serve as daily meals for the displaced persons to ensure they are well-fed.
Governor Idris also directed the local government chairman to immediately slaughter a large cow and continue doing so every four days to ensure that the villagers, especially children, consume enough beef for proper protein intake.
According to him, ‘I am also informed that four pregnant women in the camp have given birth to four babies—two boys and two girls.
‘Procure two rams for each baby for the naming ceremony, along with clothing and necessary items for all the nursing mothers.
‘I am here to see the situation on the ground, to condole and express deep sympathy with you over the painful incident by bandits that led to the loss of lives and injuries. I am saddened by the event.
‘The government will assist all displaced persons to relocate back home; we don’t want you to stay at the camp for long,’ Comrade Nasir remarked.
The Governor emphasised the importance of neighbouring states adopting Kebbi State’s proactive approach in combating armed attacks by bandits.
‘These criminals are not based in Kebbi but carry out hit-and-run operations from our neighbours. Our security services are doing their best, and we shall sustain the tempo,’ the Governor assured.
The Chairman of Arewa Local Government, Alhaji Sani Aliyu Tela, provided a detailed explanation of the mode of attack by the suspected Lakurawa invaders.
According to him, ‘The attack took place around the Rafin Tsaka axis. The bandits burned Birnin Debe village, killing eight persons. They proceeded to DanMarke and murdered two persons, while in Tambo village, they shot dead one person.
‘The bandits further set fire to six different villages, but no deaths were recorded except for injuries to some inhabitants, including a teenage girl who sustained multiple fractures after falling into a ditch,’ Tela said.
The Chairman disclosed that a total of 11 persons lost their lives, of whom eight were buried in Kangiwa, with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) representing the Governor at the burial.
‘Your Excellency, the suspected Lakurawa bandits are infiltrating our territory from the neighbouring Republic of Niger. After committing mayhem, they escape back to their base in that country.
‘Our security services performed creditably to ward off the attackers, but we need a permanent army base at Rafin Tsaka to forestall future incursions.
‘We are grateful to you for providing enormous cash support and 50,000 bags of rice to the displaced persons for their welfare.
‘Donations were also received from the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who pledged N20 million and 100 bags of grains; Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Kebbi North, donated 100 bags of rice and N2 million; while others provided rice, wrappers, and cash,’ the Chairman announced.
An indigene of Birnin Debe, Aliyu Sani, recounted that the bandits entered the village during Asr prayers after 4 p.m., when worshippers were in the mosque.
‘They shot at hay stacked on rooftops, which ignited a fire that spread. Anybody who went out of the mosque was shot dead, but they spared women. They also burned down the central mosque of the town,’ Aliyu said.
A female victim, Halima Musa, appealed to the Governor to evolve strategies to forestall further invasions of villages by bandits and offer necessary assistance to the displaced persons to ensure they are well-fed and can return home.