Bandits attacked Bungudu town the headquarters of Bungudu local government area of the state on Sunday night.
In a statement by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris the Governor was in Bungudu to commiserate with the Emir and people of the local government.
The statement added that Governor Lawal visited the Emir’s Palace to reassure his administration’s commitment and readiness to bring an end to the menace of banditry.
“Governor Dauda Lawal was in the Palace of His Highness the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, OFR to sympathize with the Emirate and the entire people of the local government over the barbaric incident of bandits attack.
“Governor Lawal, while speaking at the Palace, reassured that banditry will soon be history in the entire State.
“He urged the people to be steadfast in prayers to compliment the government’s effort in its resolve to tackle insecurity, adding that security is everyone’s business and it requires maximum cooperation.
“He condoled with the family of the deceased and prayed for the safe return of the kidnapped people.”
The Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, thanked the governor for the condolence visit.
He stated that the Governor has shown commitment since after the incident.
“His Excellency called me early in the morning to commiserate with us and informed me that he has given a directive to the security operatives to ensure the swift rescue of the victims,” he said.
Recall that Bungudu town which is less than 30 kilometers away from Gusau town the capital city of the state was attacked four times in one month where six policemen were gruesomely murdered while on duty.
The last attack on the town was recorded last Sunday night when the bandits as if they were on mission kidnapped seven prominent persons in the town and killed one.
Those kidnapped included the former State Program Officer of IFAD, Abubakar S/Fada, a younger brother to a member Federal House of Representatives for Maru/Bungudu Abdul Malik Zubairu, Abdullahi Zubairu and the son of the Emir of Bungudu, Abdurrahman Hassan.
Also kidnapped are the three wives of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Sanda.
An eyewitness account Mohammed Umar told The PUNCH that, the bandits who stormed the town around 11 o’clock in the night last Sunday operated for four hours without intrusion from the security agents.
Umar maintained that they called all the relevant security agencies as well as other important personalities in the state and notified them of what was happening but nobody came to their rescue.
“When the bandits arrived at our town and were shooting sporadically, we quickly called the security agents on phone and told them of what was going on, but nobody came”.
Umar expressed disgust over the incessant attacks on the local government headquarters by bandits despite its proximity to Gusau town the state capital.
He called on the state government and the security agents to take serious measures before the situation finally goes out of control.
“I am calling on the state and federal governments as well as the security agents to please do something urgent because the people of the town are fleeing to other places for safety”.
