Suspected bandits have reportedly set fire to harvested maize on six farms in Kwaga village and Unguwar Zako, within Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, leaving villagers devastated by the destruction.
Eyewitnesses say the attack occurred on Sunday night when the bandits raided the farms and set fire to all the harvested maize, resulting in substantial losses for the affected farmers.
A video obtained by Daily Trust shows the charred remains of the farms, with the distraught farm owners consoling one another over the extensive damage.
Kabiru Halilu Kwaga, one of the affected farmers, recalled that he harvested over 160 bags of maize last year and had anticipated an even larger harvest this season. “All my crops were burned,” he lamented.
Another farmer, Surajo Kwaga, lost his entire crop, having harvested 40 bags last year, while Malam Dan Gido, who was expecting around 65 bags this year, saw his hopes dashed as the fire consumed his yield.
Jibril Haladu Kwaga also suffered losses, with his entire harvest destroyed in the incident. The farmers expressed sorrow, praying for divine consolation.
Ishaq Usman Kasai, Chairman of the Birnin Gwari-Niger Inter-boundaries Communities Association, confirmed the incident, attributing the attack to bandits allegedly led by notorious kingpin Yellow Jamboros, known for terrorizing local communities.
As of this report, the state government has not released an official statement, and the state police command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, was unavailable for comment.
