Bandits have killed no fewer than 20 people and many others wounded in villages surrounding the Duguri District of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Our correspondent reports that the bandits appeared to be on a reprisal over the recent onslaught by men and officers of the Bauchi State Police Command in partnership with local vigilantes in which 12 of their men, including their kingpin, were killed.

The state governor, Bala Mohammed, during a sympathy visit to the affected communities on Thursday, described the situation as unfortunate and unacceptable.

Muhammed said activities of the bandits in the area were getting out of hand as the people can no longer engage in farming which is their mainstay.

Speaking at the Palace of the District Head of Yelwan Duguri, Adamu Duguri, the governor charged residents of the area to henceforth “rise, take up arms and defend yourselves.

“You are known to be men, you should not allow these bad elements subdue you, defend your land and liberate yourselves.”

He also charged the people to search themselves and bring out the bad eggs amongst them who are serving as informants to the bandits stressing that without inside information, the bandits cannot operate.

The governor assured them that his administration would continue to work in collaboration with security agencies to protect the lives and properties of innocent citizens.

At Kafin Duguri, Mohammed who commended the people for standing to defend themselves from the attacks of the bandits by wading war against them when they attempted to invade the village, told them to take up arms against the bandits and kill them if they try to attack.

“I know you people to be warriors, including your women. Rise; defend your people and the neighbourhood from the activities of the bandits.

“That is the way it should be, we should defend ourselves from any form of banditry and criminal activities. What you did was the right thing and you should continue to do that even to your neighbours,” he said.

The governor, however, expressed optimism that soon banditry will come to an end, assuring them that “my administration will support you with logistics, equip you and arm you to be able to fight and repel the attackers.

“From now on, anyone who comes to attack you to kill you, defend yourselves, attack and kill him, they can’t stop us from living in peace. All these communities have been existing over 500 years, we will not allow these Zamfarawa (bandits) to chase us away from our ancestral land.”

Mohammed also promised that a security outpost will be stationed in the area to assist the locals to beef up security in the area just as he promised to adequately compensate families that lost their loved ones to bandits’ attacks.

In his remarks, District Head of Yelwa Duguri, Adamu Duguri lamented, that the bandits had in recent times attacked communities in the area killing people, destroying their houses and rustling their cattle.

Duguri mentioned Rimi village as the worst hit as 20 people were killed during the attacks while their attempt to attack Kafin Duguri failed as the villagers rose to defend their village.

Punch