Kairu: Terrorists Evict Thousands In Zamfara Community For Failing To Meet Demands

A terror group has evicted thousands of residents from Kairu community, Bukuyum Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria on Saturday, May 21 for not meeting their demands. 

This is following residents’  failure to meet a three-day ultimatum that required payment of N30 million as ‘farming permit.’

A notorious terror leader, Dogo Gudale, issued the latest directive to Kairu community members through a resident, Isuhu Jauga, kidnapped alongside five others. 

Jauga was, however, released to deliver the verbal message on Wednesday, May 18 which required the community to pay N30 million for the farming year.

A resident, Danladi Hwatsa, 34, told HumAngle that others abducted over Gudale’s demand include Danlami Wulli, Isuhun Guntu, Chede Basullube, Bello Daji, and DanHafsi’. They were kidnapped in Kairu on Tuesday, May 11, 2022. 

“About seven of Gudale’s members came to us on Saturday at about 12 p.m. [WAT], dropping some warnings to us that we have to make that payment of N30 million cash in order to free our community and other neighbouring settlements,” Isuhu Jauga narrated. 

“The group released me to convey this message, and threatened that they will destroy our silos, and burn down our houses and take over our village,” he added.

Weeping, with tears rolling down his cheeks, Jauga told HumAngle “yet again, we reported this sad issue to the Nigerian authorities, including our traditional rulers and our representative at the Zamfara State House of Assembly for redress, but their effort to rescue us proved abortive.

“Our last option is to run away from the village because of the clear threats and warning from the terrorist group. See all of us here trooping out of our homes going to unknown places as IDPs,” Kairu’s village head said. 

The food production deficit

However, some residents such as DanTa’umma, Yahaya Kikki, Bilyan Maidoguwa, vowed to remain in the village no matter what may happen, even if it meant they would be killed. These men are mostly hunters and cut trees for charcoal production. 

Kikki, 31, said “we were born here and we must die here. Nobody born of a woman can evict me out of my home just because he is a terrorist or bandit. I know I must die wherever I go, so let me die in my home.” 

Ango Danmalka, a farmer, said the body language of the Nigerian authorities shows “they are not worried about the situation we live in.

“We have rich farmers with the biggest farming output from our area who produce more than thirty thousand bags of assorted grains per season like millet, maize, rice, beans, calabash, and guinea corn,” he said.

Making reference to the contribution people in the community make to food production in the country, Danmalka gave a list of renown farmers in the area who produce on a large scale and also their yearly output.

A typical example is Alhaji Bilya who produces up to 1,400 bags in a year. Alhaji Ummaru Kuro 1,500 bags, Alhaji Ali Niga 3,000 bags, Alhaji Samaila 1,700 bags, Adamu Ruwaya 800.

Also, Alhaji Bawa 1,000, Jankuro 500, Saidu Nayaya 1,000, Alhaji Dankwaine 600, Alhaji Labaran 1,500, Alhaji Sani Rosti 3,700, Alhaji Umma 400, Alhaji Guntu 400, and Alhaji Bashar 2,900. 

“These are just a few that I can mention, all from our Kairu village. Yet, they are all displaced now,” Danmalka lamented.

When contacted for comment over the eviction and demand for ransom by terrorists from Kairu community, the Zamfara State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Muhammad Shehu, said “we are making every effort to confirm from our sources the clear picture of this issue affecting Kairu people.”