Banditry: Residents protest, destroy IDPs camps in Zamfara

Residents of Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Sunday, blocked a major road and burnt down Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps in the area, demanding adequate security from the government.

News gathered that the protest lasted for several hours, resulting in the total blockage of the Gummi-Anka federal highway.

It was also gathered that the protestants also set ablaze and destroyed several IDPs camps, saying that the camps were mostly occupied by the Fulani people in the area.

Eyewitness accounts told this medium that the destruction was in vengeance following the constant attacks on the communities in the Local Government Area.

According to one of them, Usman Anka, “We are hosts to the innocent Fulani people in Anka town but their relatives continue to kill and kidnap us.

“We are living with the terrorists’ wives, parents and children in the town, yet they always intimidate and constantly attack us. We have more than 27 victims, including pregnant women in the hands of the armed bandits.”

Another resident, Ibrahim Musa said they were tired of the terrorists’ activities in Anka Local Government Area, pointing out that “almost on a daily basis, the armed bandits would either kidnap or kill their people and security authorities were watching them.”

Recall that such protests have occurred many times in other communities of Tsafe, Shinkafi, Zurmi, Kaura-Namoda, Bakura, Bungudu, and even Gusau, the state capital over the rising insecurity in the state.

When contacted, the State Police Command’s spokesman, ASP Yazid Abubakar confirmed the incident, saying the command had already deployed armed policemen to protect the general area.