By Mohammed Aminu in Gusau
No fewer than 20 communities in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been deserted to avoid being attacked by bandits.
The Emir of Anka and Chairman of Zamfara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Muhammad Attahiru Ahmed, made this known while briefing journalists in Anka Local Government Area of the state at the weekend.
According to him, many communities in Anka Local Government Area are now in fear following incessant attacks by bandits in the area.
The monarch, who spoke through the Waziri of Anka Emirate, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa, lamented that the bandits had attacked Kuru-kuru and Jarkuka villages last Wednesday and killed 26Â innocent people with threat of more attacks.
He maintained that the precarious security situation had scared even the neighbouring villages to flee en masse into Anka town to take refuge.
“As you are aware, the residents of communities who live close to the bush have fled their villages because they are more prone to attacks by the bandits.
“These bandits usually announce the schedule for their attacks before visiting any of the targeted villages in their list, this is why Anka Local Government Area headquarters has become overpopulated now,†he lamented.
The emir expressed dismay that the security agencies had failed to protect the people but only provide security for the burial of those killed.
The monarch expressed dissatisfaction with the efforts of the federal government towards tackling banditry in the area.
He announced that the Emirate has declared a three-day mourning within which they would observe fasting to seek God’s intervention on the matter.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Anka Local Government Area, Alhaji Mustapha Gado, decried the migration of villagers to the local government area headquarters on a daily basis for fear of possible attacks by bandits.
He added that the local government economy is being threatened by overpopulation.
