Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed the Vice-Chairman, Jama’atu Izatatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS), Brinin-Gwari branch, Malam Yakubu Muhammad Bugai.
It was gathered that the Islamic leader died from injuries sustained during an attack by the bandits on Wednesday.
Bugai was rushed to Jibril Mai-Gwari General Hospital on Thursday after he was shot on his farmland located around the Rema area of Birnin-Gwari.
The development was confirmed by the Chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), Ishaq Usman Kasai, who also expressed deep sorrow.
The chairman described the deceased as a key figure in the Birnin-Gwari Orphans Foundation, dedicated to caring for thousands of orphans left behind by victims of armed banditry in the area.
Furthermore, he recounted several incidents of abductions and kidnappings of innocent farmers in the local government area, saying that on Friday, July 21, 2023, bandits stormed Unguwar Bawa in Randagi Ward, kidnapping 28 people, including women and children.
It explained, “In subsequent attacks, two persons were kidnapped on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, near Eka Farm, and on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, nine people were kidnapped, and one person was killed in Unguwan Roka of Kakangi Ward.”
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It added that four locals were kidnapped from their farms in Yelwa Community, Sabon-Layi axis, lamenting that the bandits continued their rampage on Thursday night, July 27, 2023, in Unguwan Danfulani, killing one person and kidnapping seven members from a single family.
On the same day, the statement explained that the bandits blocked traders and grain suppliers on their way to Birnin-Gwari weekly Market, kidnapping six persons during the hour-long operation.
The group expressed concern over the continuous attacks on farmers, saying that it has led to approximately 70% of farmlands being inaccessible and jeopardizing this year’s farming outputs.
The union appealed to the Federal Government for the establishment of military detachments in Katakaki, Gagumi, Tashar-Keji, and Bugai axis of the Western part of Birnin-Gwari.
DSP Mohammed Jalige, the State Police Public Relations Officer, could not answer his calls or text messages sent to him on the incident as of the time of filing this report.