Residents of 10 communities in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State have fled their homes due to the activities of bandits in the area.
It was learnt that many of those affected, particularly women and children, trekked long distances to seek refuge in the main town of Giwa.
Umar Auwal Bijimi, the representative of Giwa West constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, told Daily Trust yesterday that the exodus began after the removal of a dedicated and effective soldier, Sergeant Usman Hamisu Bagobiri, who played a crucial role in combating the banditry plaguing the area.
He said the absence of Sergeant Bagobiri has emboldened the criminals, leading to an alarming rise in their heinous activities and subsequent displacement of villagers.
Bijimi said the affected villages included Gogi, Angwar Bako, Marge, Tunburku, Bataro, Kayawa and Yuna.
He appealed to the state government and military authorities to reinstate Sergeant Bagobiri and deploy more committed soldiers to continue the fight against the bandits, thus ensuring the safety of innocent villagers and enabling them to resume their agricultural activities.
