Rita Odafe
Ex-Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has expressed deep concern over the killing of 35 individuals and the abduction of 223 others by armed groups in Zamfara state.
Fani-Kayode shared that these tragic events occurred within the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency in Zamfara.
This information was relayed to him by Aminu Sani Jaji, the local House of Representatives member, last Thursday.
The politician mentioned that Jaji, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Ecological Funds, informed him that various attacks took place across multiple villages and communities within his area.
The former Minister provided details of the casualties from specific villages, which include: Madira – 5, Dayau – 5, Kungurki – 5, Unguwa Sarkin Musulmi – 3, Yanruma – 1, Gabaken mesa – 1, Gwamanan – 3, Yamutsawa – 2, Banga – 10, making a total of 35 fatalities.
Additionally, he reported the number of abducted individuals from various locations, which are: Banga – 60, Gabake – 27, Madira – 25, Yanruma – 7, Gobirawa – 15, Gabaken Mesa – 23, Gwamanan – 2, Modomawa – 3, Yamutsawa – 30, Kungurki – 3, Kaiwa lamba – 38, summing up to 225 abducted persons.
“If this many people are being killed and kidnapped in just one Federal constituency within days, can you imagine the scale of suffering elsewhere in the state? It is unimaginable. My heart aches for the citizens of Zamfara,” Fani-Kayode remarked.
While he praised the security forces for their efforts against local violence, he emphasized the need for a decisive victory over insurgents.
The former Minister also urged for increased backing for security personnel in their missions.
“We must rally behind them and offer all possible assistance because their mission cannot rely on them alone. This should be a unified endeavor,” he concluded.
