On Sunday, youths in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State rose to the occasion when a suspected armed group responsible for terrorising the area came to rob dealers in a sesame processing factory. The youths fought back in a more gruesome manner, killing all four armed men as they tried to flee. But this show of bravery was not without consequences to the community. Three people were felled by the armed robbers' bullets while many sustained injuries.
In the last two months, three prominent community leaders were gunned down in Katagum by trigger-happy bandits yet to be identified. Those killed included former Comptroller General of Prisons Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Jarma and Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim Shehu Majidadin Katagum.
The gunmen also attacked the residence of former Secretary to the Federal Government Alhaji Aminu Saleh, killing two policemen.
When the killings in Azare persisted, Islamic scholars advised the community to rise against the gunmen whenever they are spotted, insisting that it is a religious duty.
Giving account of what had happened on Sunday, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Alhaji Muhammadu Danmadami, Sa'in Katagum, said: "the men suspected to be armed robbers had raided Sesame Company in Azare and robbed people of their money to the tune of over three million naira".
"The gunmen came out in broad daylight because they knew that customers from Kano State used to come to the company to purchase sesame products; they came when business transaction was in progress. As they were operating, the community raised alarm and youths in their numbers came out to face them."
The gunmen reportedly fired shots as they tried to escape but the youths continued to pursue them until security operatives and members of prominent "armed robbers' hunter" Ali Kwara joined to overpower them.
Three of the gunmen were eventually killed. The last of them was said to have found his way into a house, climbed a three inside the compound, and continued firing until his ammunition got exhausted. He attempted to escape but was caught and lynched not too far away from the house. Reports indicate that the stolen money was recovered from the slain armed men.
The retired DIG who spoke to Daily Trust disclosed that on the same Sunday, after the Magrib prayer, another group of five suspected armed robbers were arrested at Tashan Gadau with the combined effort of security personnel, Ali Kwara and the community.
He said the five had sauntered into a restaurant and ordered for food when a good Samaritan noticed that one of them was in possession of a rifle and quickly alerted Ali Kwara and security operatives. He said the community mobilized themselves against the men and after a gun duel, four of them were captured. One of them escaped, but was later arrested by Ali Kwara. All the five suspects are now in custody of the police.
Ali Kwara said the suspects may have come from the east, stressing that they stayed for a long time in one Hotel in Azare, taking turn to rob people in the night. He disclosed that eight among the people that went after the armed robbers also sustained injuries. Three AK 47 guns with explosive devices were recovered from the bandits.
Many people in Katagum who spoke to Daily Trust vowed to continue with the struggle to rid local government of armed bandits. But they called on the Governor Isa Yuguda to help the community and security forces with telecommunications tracking devices in order to monitor the conversations of criminals and arrest them before they strike.
Governor Isa Yuguda who went to the Azare town Monday to commiserate with the People over the incident pledged to pay the medical bills of those injured. He also pledged to pay N100, 000 to their families every month, until they recover. He said government will assist the children and parents of those who lost their lives.
Bauchi State Police Commissioner Mohammed Ladan confirmed the incidents, saying "we have gunned down all the hoodlums after serious battle and exchange of fire. They were four in number, but I don't have figures of the casualties on the side of security."
However, a top security source told our reporter that the total number of deaths from the Azare gun battle was eight, including the four armed robbers. He also said eight other people were injured.
"We lost two soldiers, one Policeman and a civilian and recovered three Ak 47 riffles, a pistol and Improvised Explosives Devices," he said.
Chairman of Bauchi State Muslims/Christian Initiative Alhaji Aminu Sidi described what happened in Azare as an eye opener to everyone.
He said: "The killings are becoming unbecoming. You know that what instils the biggest fear in human beings is death. But people know that you can die even in your home; as a result they have overcome the fear of death."
The youth leader in Azare also told Daily Trust correspondent that they are henceforth resolved to face any riff-raff. "The youths in Azare are battle ready because we believe that death is inevitable and every one of us will taste death but once, so we are ready to sacrifice for our community.
Daily Trust