Apparently beleaguered by rampaging terrorists, Kaduna State Government has cried out for help from the federal authorities to free the state from the reign of terror and the consolidation of their grip on communities in the state with a view to forming a parallel government and permanent operational base in the North-west state.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai, troubled by the development has in a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari said the terrorists had sacked local governments, infiltrated and dominated some communities and formed “a parallel governing authority.”
He said they had taken over and are also exercising control over social and economic activities and dispensing justice, citing a “series of intelligence reports.”
El-Rufai said in the leaked memo: “The terrorists had infiltrated and dominated communities and formed a parallel governing authority, exercising control over social and economic activities and dispensation of justice in the area.
“The terrorists have advanced in their plans to make Kaduna forest areas their permanent operational base for the North-west region.
“Observed movement patterns and intercepted communications of migrating terrorists have shown a clear interest in setting up a base, with the stretches of forest area between Kaduna and Niger states strongly considered.
“The insurgents enacted a law in the district, banning all forms of political activity or campaign ahead of the 2023 elections, especially in Madobiya and Kazage villages.’’
The terrorists belonging to Ansaru al-Musulmina fi Bilad al-Sudan, are believed to have moved to Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State in 2012 when they broke away from Boko Haram and were said to be responsible for some of the high-profile attacks claimed by Boko Haram before the split.
Persecondnews recalls in 2021, 1,192 people lost their lives in Kaduna State due to banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, violent attacks, and reprisals.
In the first half of 2022, 645 people lost their lives in such circumstances across the state, the government said.
The ban placed on political activities, the governor said, followed a recent wedding ceremony involving the terrorists.
“According to actionable intelligence, members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Musulmina Fi’biladis Sudan (aka Ansaru) hibernating in Kuyello district of Birnin Gwari LGA recently conducted a nuptial ceremony during which they married two yet-to-be-identified female residents of Kuyello village,” el-Rufai wrote.
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