Many communities in Kaduna State have stockpiled weapons due to constant attacks by bandits and terrorists who invade, kill and abduct citizens for ransom.
From Birnin Gwari to parts of Giwa, Igabi, Chikun and Zaria Local Government Areas in Kaduna, Daily Trust gathered that communities have in the last three years formed security groups that patrolled their borders at night and at times engaged bandits in gun fights.
Community leaders and residents in some of these areas confided in Daily Trust that they resorted to self-help after the federal government failed in its responsibility to protect them, leaving them at the mercy of bandits and terrorists.
They claimed that their new strategy has helped in warding off attacks on their communities.
There are no security agents in most communities that have been over-run by bandits and where there are security agents, they are reluctant to engage the bandits because the bandits are better armed.
So you find that the bandits attack and abduct residents without any deterrence from security agents,” said a community leader in Kaduna who sought to remain anonymous.
A resident of Nariya community in Igabi Local Government Area of the state, who simply identified himself as Abdul, said when bandits attempted to invade their community a few weeks ago, they met armed youths who forced them to retreat.
He urged the federal government to support the strategy employed by the Zamfara State government but advised government to mobilise and register those who will be armed to give the strategy a form of structure that is recognised and monitored.