Katsina
In Katsina State, many villages have been deserted due to incessant attacks by bandits. A resident of Sheme in Faskari Local Government Area said, “Though I cannot give you the exact figure, about 100 villages have been deserted, of which some are being occupied by bandits and others burnt.
“In Ruwan Godiya ward alone, we have Shawu, Unguwar Goga, Yantuwaru, Gidan Dogo, Unguwar Nadaji, Hayin Najafa, Unguwar Baidu, Kanawa, Hitaru and Unguwar Haji villages. Some of them are currently occupied by the bandits, and even those that are not taken over by bandits, the villagers cannot go to their farms as they will be chased away,” he said.
While some of the villages have been deserted completely, others are just there in name considering that the people no longer live a normal life.
While women and children live at the mercy of the bandits, men, especially those seen as “prosperous” have no option than to flee to safer locations.
Over 100 villages sacked in Kaduna State
Years of insecurity in parts of Kaduna State have led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people who have fled their homes for refuge in other parts of the state.
A chunk of Kaduna’s insecurity rests in about 10 local government areas including Zangon Kataf, Sanga, Kaura, Kauru, Jema’a, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Giwa, Igabi and Kajuru LGAs.