Lawmaker confirms Ansaru terrorists taking over Kaduna communities

The lawmaker representing Birnin-Gwari federal constituency of Kaduna State in the House of Representatives, Shehu Abubakar, has confirmed that the Ansaru terrorist group has taken over control of many towns in the eastern part of the local government area.

Ripples Nigeria had reported on Monday how the deadly Ansaru terrorist group placed a ban on political activities and gatherings in some communities of the council and has also gone on a recruitment drive by forcefully conscripting youths to join the group.

According to the Birnin-Gwari Emirates Progressives Union in a statement made available to Ripples Nigeria, the terrorist group had successfully taken over the communities and were the ones issuing instructions on how the affairs should be run.

“The Ansaru terrorists group has banned all political activities in Birnin-Gwari Emirate, especially in communities around Damari of Kazage Ward where they currently control,” the statement said.

Read also: Presidency reveals ongoing efforts to free abducted Kaduna train passengers from terrorists

While confirming the story on a Channels Television programme on Wednesday, Abubakar said the terrorists have moved from the forests they were hibernating into the towns and have now seized control of the area.

He explained that the Ansaru group which has its base in the eastern parts of Birnin-Gwari have been going on with their activities unabated for years.

“The Ansaru terrorist group has practically taken over communities in the eastern parts of Birnin-Gwari local government area. As we speak, they are the ones controlling the areas and making rules that must not be broken or they will be met with severe consequences.

“They have been in the forests for over 10 years but it was just this year that they started showing their mission because all these while, they have been living peacefully with the people. They were even defending the community from the attacks of the bandits.

“Apart from banning western education, they have also ordered that the locals should not participate in politics,” the lawmaker said.

Abubakar, who is again aiming to go back to the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, appealed to governments at all levels to urgently take necessary steps to liberate the area to enable the people to fully participate in the 2023 elections and other programmes of government.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now