Killings, Abductions Resume On Kaduna Highway In Full Force-BEPU

The Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) on Saturday stated that killings and abductions on Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highway have resumed in full force by armed bandits.

Barrister Salisu Haruna, Chairman of BEPU, in a statement said on Saturday criminals opened fire on some travellers along the highway killing one person and injuring others.

He lamented that the highway cannot be used before 9 am and after 9 pm on a daily basis, while there is no adequate security personnel.

Haruna said: “BEPUalso observes with dismay that some of the security personnel deployed at the highway do not come out for duty until when it is late and the armed bandits utilise such periods and when the security go for a break, to launch offensive attacks on the fearful travellers.

“BEPU also observes that the armed bandits operate more freely at the places where the road is full of potholes as a result of over a decade of decay of the highway.

“Recently, the FERMA have started some maintenance works on the highway only to abandon it after covering some few kilometres, a development that strongly contribute to the armed banditry.

“BEPU, therefore, reminds the government that there is apparently a spillage of armed bandits who refuse to drop their arms and accept the government’s offer of peace at Zamfara state into Birnin Gwari forests. This must be arrested in no longer time.

“BEPU urgently calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to boost the morale of the military formations deployed to Birnin Gwari by providing them all necessary facilities needed in the proper discharge of their operations against the bandits.

“We call on the Kaduna State Government to mount more security checking points along Kaduna Birnin Gwari and support the Vigilante and the Police with everything they need to arrest the situation.

“This must be done with all seriousness as the bandits continue to launch offensive attacks against the travellers especially now that Eid-el- Kabir is approaching.”