Somtochukwu

Terrorists operating as bandits in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria has forced indigenes out of their villages as they seek refuge in other locations believed to be safer across the state and beyond.

Internally displaced Fatima, originally from Jar’kuka, told DAILY POST that she was forced to run away from her village to an IDP camp in Anka because of the activities of the bandits

“We decided to leave our village after 56 people were killed by bandits in one day,” Fatima said, “About 30 people from our village had already been killed and our belongings were constantly being looted.”

Fatima left home after her village, Jar’kuka was invaded and became too dangerous to live in.

She said life means nothing to the bandits as they take it at will.

Another IDP, who identified himself as Abbas, also living in the ‘New Emir’s Palace’ IDP camp, in Anka, left his village of Tangaram with his wife and three children after his father was abducted.

“Two years ago, my father, who was the traditional leader of our village, was abducted by bandits and taken to the bush,” he said.

“The bandits demanded a ransom, which was paid. Since then, we haven’t tried to return. Two people went back to check on the situation there, but one was killed and the other was abducted, although later he escaped.”

Fatima and Abbas are just two of the over 200,000 people estimated to have been displaced within the northwest region of Nigeria since the violent attacks on civilians by terrorists began.

The International Crisis Group estimates that about 100,000 displaced persons sought safety in Anka, Shinkafi and Zurmi towns, in Zamfara State, following an upsurge in violence in 2018.

Anka camp is the only site for IDPs in Zamfara.

In the northwest, IDPs are usually present in every town of the state and hosted in different cities, making it difficult to compile the exact figures of displaced persons.

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