Residents of Batsari Local Government Area in Katsina State say normal life is gradually returning after years of insecurity, as they commend security operatives and the state government for their efforts in tackling the challenges affecting the region.
Speaking with newsmen on Friday afternoon in the Wagini community, some residents noted that the once-worrisome security situation has significantly improved, with no bandit attacks recorded in the past five months.
The community leader of Wagini village, Yahuza Aminu told reporters while on a tour to the areas ravaged by the activities of bandits/terrorists in the state said the community before now used to witness constant attacks by the hoodlums, with several lives lost as well as abductions, rapes and rustling of animals is the order of the day.
According to him, there was a time when none of us in this community could sleep with our two eyes closed at night because of fear of bandits ‘ attack.
He said, Some of our people lost their lives, some with lifetime injuries while others were abducted. There was a time when about 50 of our people were kidnapped by bandits.
We lived in fear, and some members had to flee to seek refuge in neighbouring villages. It was indeed dark days for us as the Wagini community.
However, he said that the security situation had recently improved and that there had been no reports of abductions, killings, or rustling of animals as it used to be in the past.
We have not heard the sound of gunshots from bandits for the past one year, and our people now go about their normal businesses; markets now operate full-time.
We cannot say there has been complete elimination of the security challenge, as some attacks still happen in the eastern part of the community, from time to time.
But compared to one of more years ago, I can confidently tell you that insecurity has largely been brought to its knees in the area.
He also said that the improved security situation had led to bumper harvest by farmers in the area.
Some of our farmers who couldn’t go to farm due to insecurity, were able to plant and harvest their crops, and many of them have made millions of naira selling their farm produce, he added.
Some markers interviewed at Wagini and Batsari markets said they now sell their goods without fear of attacks.
Chairman of shoe sellers association at Wagini market, Jamilu Sani, said in the past, they could hardly go a week without hearing of attacks, including attacks on his members ferrying their goods from other council areas.
But, five months ago, security has greatly improved. We now buy and sell without fear of attacks. We can spend more time in the market to 6pm without fear of attack. We thank the security operatives and government under the leadership of Dikko Umar Radda for this, he added.
Also speaking, Muhammdu Sada, said aside from the return of security, people are hungry. “I want to call on Governor Radda just as he mobilised for the return of security to please do the same by providing food stuffs to us. People are hungry and yes, we hail him for fighting insecurity though, foodstuffs be given too.
At a border community to the deadly Rugu forest, Gimi in the Safana Local Government area of Katsina State, our correspondent observed that the community were left with deserted buildings while some residents were busy rebuilding their houses.
In an interview with a resident of the Gimi community, Atiku Mamman said “They are living in peace unlike three years ago. “We are farming with a secure and serene environment and Alhmmadulilah we had a bumper harvest this year.
