Locals in communities under Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State said Ansaru, a popular terror group in the area continued to lure youths into their enclave.
The group became a threat, especially in Northwestern Nigeria using tactics and force to secure areas and later abduct people, and kill in several instances.
WikkiTimes had last year reported that the fighters of the group in the area “forcefully” married an unspecified number of women in Tsohuwar Kuyallo Village, most of whom were young girls.
Formally known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan [Association for the Protection of Black Muslims in Africa], the group was however suppressed by Nigerian mlitary bombardments coupled with supremacy clashes among the terror camps operating in the region.
However, the group reportedly took time to recruit the youth and later absorbed them either by using different kinds of motivation means or on some occasions, by force, which increased the security problem in the area.
Communities such as Gandu village, Old Kuyello and Gajere neighbourhood are all under the control of the Ansaru group, locals told the BBC Hausa.
“Now the main thing that is disturbing people is that the Ansaru came to Layin Lasan community indicating that they want to return to live there but distrust them. meanwhile, there is tension because people don’t know what will go and come as they said they will make everything possible to get into the community,” a resident of Layin Lasan stated.
Ansaru Jihadists Are ‘Forcefully’ Marrying Girls In Their Kaduna Stronghold
According to him, the group has already staged a way into Layin Dan-auta neighbourhood where they also announced their intention to involve the youth and take power in the area.
Despite this threat, the residents said there are currently no security forces that can halt the group from attacking or invading their villages.
However, the spokesperson for Kaduna Police Command, Mansur Hassan said operatives of the force have defeated the militants in previous years adding it will do everything necessary to get rid of them and provide security to the people.
“We once went and fought these people, three to four years ago where we killed at least 200 people among them,” he claimed. “Efforts are being made but this is something that we will not go to the media and say because it is confidential information.”
The people of Birnin Gwari local government in Kaduna State, and the neighbouring Funtua in Katsina state have been struggling with the attacks of bandits linked to the Ansaru group, and attacks and kidnappings are increasing in the areas.
