On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Malam Yakubu Muhammad Bugai, Vice-Chairman of Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS), Birnin-Gwari Branch, was killed by bandits at his farm in the Rema area.
Despite being rushed to Jibril Mai-Gwari General Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries the next day.
The Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) in a statement issued by the Chairman Ishaq Usman Kasai expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Mal. Yakubu Bugai, who played a crucial role in the Birnin-Gwari Orphans Foundation, dedicated to caring for orphans affected by armed banditry.
BEPU also reported several incidents of abductions and kidnappings of innocent farmers in the Local Government Area.
On July 21, 2023, bandits kidnapped 28 people, including women and children, killing one person and injuring four others in Unguwar Bawa, Randagi Ward.
Subsequent attacks resulted in two people being kidnapped near Eka Farm on July 25, 2023, nine people kidnapped, and one person killed in Unguwan Roka of Kakangi Ward on July 26, 2023, and four locals kidnapped from their farms in Yelwa Community, Sabon-Layi axis.
On July 27, 2023, bandits struck again, killing one person and kidnapping seven members of a single family in Unguwan Danfulani. Additionally, they targeted traders and grain suppliers heading to Birnin-Gwari weekly market, kidnapping six individuals during the operation.
BEPU raised serious concerns over the continuous attacks on farmers, rendering approximately 70% of farmlands inaccessible and posing a threat to this year’s farming outputs.
The Union appealed to the Federal Government for the establishment of military detachments in Katakaki, Gagumi, Tashar-Keji, and Bugai axis of the Western part of Birnin-Gwari. They also emphasized the need for the restoration of the Mobile Police Unit in Damari Community in the eastern part of the Local Government, which the bandits are using as a route to attack many communities in the area.
Officials, including the State Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, and the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Jalige, have not provided confirmation or details on the incident at this time.
