By Yusuf Boluwatife
Two communities, Saulawa and Damari, located in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have been invaded by bandits fleeing military operations.
Daily Trust reported that the gunmen on motorcycles arrived the two communities in their hundreds and later hoisted flags in the Damari and Saulawa villages.
The bandits, according to the newspaper, were suspected to be members of the Ansaru terrorist organisation.
Damari and Saulawa are two among many villages in the Birnin Gwari local government area overrun by terrorists and bandits with no presence of security operatives.
According to the newspaper, sources said the two villages had a few years ago reached a pact with bandits to allow them freedom to farm while bandits were given access to markets and other amenities in the communities.
The agreement, however, faltered in February when gunmen invaded several communities including Saulawa and Damari, killing scores of people in the process.
A youth leader from Dogon Dawa town of Birnin Gwari told Daily Trust that some residents of Damari had been sneaking out and relocating to Zaria for safety while others had relocated their families while the men remained in the community to farm.
He was quoted as saying, “Over 400 of them (referring to the bandits) arrived on Tuesday, they have overtaken Saulawa and Damari and they have hoisted their flags, they have not attacked anyone but people are scared and they are leaving.”
