Terrorists in military uniforms move freely, wield sophisticated weapons in Kaduna – Politician

The Peoples Democratic Party House of Representatives candidate from Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State, Shehu Abubakar, says Ansaru terrorists have taken over total control of many towns in the eastern part of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Abubakar said members of the terrorist group, who have been hibernating in forests near the town in the past 10 have now seized control of the area as no form of government or security agencies’ presence could no longer be seen in the communities.

He disclosed this while speaking on a Channels TV programme on Wednesday morning, against the backdrop of the recent order by the terrorists to members of communities in the area not to participate in political activities.

On Monday, the terrorist group banned political activities in many communities in the Eastern part of Birnin-Gwari.

Speaking on this development, Abubakar said: “Ansaru is located in the eastern part of Birni-Gwari and their activities have been going on there for over 10 years.

“It was just this year that they started showing their mission because all these while, they have been living peacefully with the people. They were even defending the community from the attacks of the bandits.

“Before, they were staying in the bush. It was later, after some years that they started coming into the Damari town where they have even almost taken over the town because there is no presence of the police in the town.

“We didn’t know what their mission was until now. We found out that they banned western education and they are now saying people around there should not participate in politics.

“In the recent local government election, I was the DG Campaign of the PDP. At the same time, PDP sent me to the eastern part as their supervisor.

“On reaching there, we were warned by both the APC and PDP agents that Ansaru has warned them that nobody from the area should participate in political activities.

“We had to install our machines in the next town and told the party agents to call the community members so that those who want to vote can come and vote.”

He disclosed that the Ansaru terrorists have completely taken over the control of the area, adding that their members had been appearing in military fatigues, wielding sophisticated weapons.

Abubakar said, “I was there last year, a friend of mine was shot by bandits. So, we went for a condolence visit. At the outskirts of the town, to my surprise, I saw people in military uniforms with sophisticated weapons.

“I was told they are Ansaru. I saw over 150 of them in that town that day.”

The PDP House of Representatives candidate appealed to government at all levels to urgently take the necessary steps to liberate the area to enable the people to participate in the 2023 elections.