Residents of Barga, Awon ward in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State have commended the state governor, Senator Uba Sani, for approving the establishment of a Military Forward Operations Base (FOB) to address the security challenges in the area.
Leader of the community, Zanko Adamu, made the commendation during a tour of the project by the stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kachia.
He said said the establishment of the military base will go a long way in stemming the tide of banditry and other security challenges in the area.
Adamu said the incessant cases of kidnappings and cattle rustling in the area had forced many people to abandon their homes and farmlands.
He revealed that the community is a gateway to the Rijana forest, believed to be a major hideout for bandits.
Also speaking, another resident, Mark Bawa, stated that the prompt approval by the governor for the establishment of the base has rekindled hope among the people.
Bawa added that the once-thriving farming community has been impoverished by frequent attacks, leading to reduced agricultural output and food shortages.
“Our community was a very peaceful and productive one before these criminal elements started wrecking havoc on us.
“It is my prayer that we have come to the end of this nightmare we have been experiencing,” he said.
On her part, Hannatu Dikko highlighted the socio-economic impact of insecurity in the area.
Dikko explained that many businesses had shut down while schools remained closed, leaving children without access to education.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of Kachia LGA, Dr. Manzo Maigari, noted that citing the base in Barga community was in line with the rural infrastructural drive of Governor Sani’s administration.
He said once completed, the FOB is expected to serve as a strategic point for swift military response and surveillance.
He tasked the members of the community to always provide intelligence to security agencies, noting that security is a collective responsibility.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the event also lauded the governor for listening to the cry of the people of the area.
Awon community has suffered many attacks by bandits in recent times, resulting killings, abductions and displacement of people from their homes.
