The Ansaru terrorist group has reportedly banned political activities in some communities in the Eastern part of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
This was contained in a report released by the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives’ Union (BEPU) on Sunday.
The report, signed by the Union’s Chairman, Ishaq Usman Kasai, indicated that the group continues to gain strength in the area whereby locals particularly the youth are being recruited.
“The group continue to gain acceptance from many members of the communities, particularly in Old Kuyello and Damari of Kazage Ward.
“Even this week, two members of the group were engaged for a wedding with two girls and will be tying the nuptial knots by the coming Saturday.
“The Ansaru (grooms) laid down some rules to the in-laws for the wedding. They ruled that, after the wedding, they will take the brides to the forests and live there with them and do not want the brides to go along with any furniture except plates (coolers) and mattresses because anything other than that is not in tandem with their beliefs and convictions.
“BEPU noted with dismay that the locals who have joined the group are afraid to live in the town because of the fear they could be arrested by the police or security agencies.
“BEPU disclosed that the clarion call among the recruits is for the establishment of an Islamic state.
“The Ansaru and the recruits believe that their numerical strength will help them to bring the present democratic government down.
“Presently the Ansaru are going round distributing memory cards to the locals which contain their beliefs and doctrine.
“A disturbing scenario is where the group banned all political activities in many communities such as Damari of Kazage Ward. Politicians from these communities have to go far away secretly to the neighbouring communities before they hold political meetings.
“For instance this week an Okada rider who lives in Unguwar Makara of Kazage Ward was seen with a sticker of one of the candidates vying for the Kaduna State House of Assembly and he was thoroughly beaten by the Ansaru.
“People in these communities are now disenchanted and frustrated about participating in political activities.
“We don’t know how the coming Elections will take place in those areas because even the last Local Government Election did not hold in the Area due to the escalating insecurity which made the election results be declared inconclusive and a Sole Administrator was appointed overseeing the affairs the Local Government up to now”.
