Residents of Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna state have raised the alarm that bandits are breaking peace agreements entered into with farming communities in the area.
Specifically, they said the bandits usually do this when critical farm harvest period begins, despite taking levies to allow them freely carry out their occupation.
According to reports, farming communities in Birnin-Gwari often enter into peace agreements with bandits to allow agricultural activities continue without disruption. Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU) Ishaq Kasai, explained to journalists that these agreements are frequently proposed by the bandits, creating a semblance of safety for farmers during the planting season. However, the bandits typically find excuses to renege on these deals as soon as harvest season arrives.
Kasai revealed that communities such as Kwoga, Zoko, and Gayam, were at different times, victims of this recurring pattern.
He noted that on Sunday, 10th of November, 2024, bandits set ablaze farms along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road in those areas, incidents attributed to a notorious bandit leader known as Yellow Janbros.
Kasai explained: “The reason why the area experienced relative peace in the past was that farmers had negotiated with the Yellow Janbros group to be able to farm. Recently, however, it became clear that these peace deals would not hold as the bandits continued to harass farmers, demanding money even after agreements had been reached.”
…The agreements
The BEPU chairman described how bandits exploited the agreements thus: “During the rainy season, the bandits enter into agreements with the communities, but once the harvest period begins, they create issues and claim the villagers breached the deal.”
He further pointed out that the military had intensified efforts in the area, with security officers working hard to disrupt the criminals’ activities along known cattle routes from Zamfara through Birnin Gwari to Niger state.
“A military officer and his team recently ambushed the Yellow Janbros group as they were moving from Niger to Birnin Gwari, neutralising some members. As a result of this onslaught, the bandits retaliated by torching harvested farm produce and threatening more attacks unless a new peace agreement was reached,” Kasai said.
“The community now seeks to bolster security efforts, recognising that negotiations alone have not been effective. The people of the area are now exploring ways to support soldiers in defeating the bandits,” he noted.
The community leader further underscored that peace agreements facilitated by mediators, such as the recent intervention by an Islamic cleric from Bauchi/Gombe, had not yielded lasting results, saying despite the clerics’ efforts last Saturday, the bandits launched attacks the following day.
Kasai highlighted the need for comprehensive government action.
“For Birnin Gwari and the entire North-West to experience peace, the government must deploy troops to strategic locations like Kuduru Forest between Chikun and Birnin Gwari, Kamuku Forest, and Kuyanbana Forest, which stretches from Dan Sadau in Zamfara to Kaduna State. These areas harbor numerous bandit camps,” said the community leader.
While calling for a serious onslaught against the bandits, he said: “We need coordinated, multi-state military operations involving Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara. Bandits move freely within these forests, and only a full-scale offensive can dislodge them. The bandits even mock the community by saying that the government cannot reach them in the forests.”
Kasai, who noted some level of improvement in security measures along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway, however, said villages remained vulnerable owing to lack of significant operations.
“The only place where security efforts have made a noticeable difference is along the highway, but in the villages, no substantial operation has reduced the attacks,” he added.