The Sarkin-Ruman Katsina and District Head of Batsari in Batsari local government area of Katsina State, Tukur Mu’azu Ruma, says bandits fleeing military onslaught in the neighbouring Zamfara and Kaduna states have infiltrated and taken over communuties in his domain.
Ruma, who spoke to journalists in his palace on Friday, said the bandits hav ransacked communities within his domain to steal foodstuffs and other valuables belonging to residents.
He said many farmers in domain might not harvest crops due to the nefarious activities of the bandits, whom he said had
formed camps in communities bordering Runka Forest and other adjoining forests in the area.
“They come out daily to attack innocent citizens in the night, particularly along Batsari-Jibia Road,” he said.
“They attacked the Yasore community and killed 11 farmers, burnt their local silos and houses. After the attack, they stopped those who survived the invasion from accessing their farms in order to harvest their crops.
“Now it is the bandits that are harvesting the farmers sesame, millets, maize, guinea corn and other crops.”
Ruma said farmers in Duba, Sabon-garin Dunburawa, Bakin-ragi and Labo communities face similar problem.
He said there would be food crisis in the state, especially in frontline local government areas due to insecurity, if nothing is done immediately to solve the security challenges.
Ruma called on the federal government to deploy more security personnel to farming communities across the local government to tackle banditry, and to enable for farmers to harvest their crops.
