The community of Garam, nestled in Niger State and bordering the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been gripped by relentless attacks from bandits since December 24, 2023. The unabated violence has compelled residents to abandon their homes, fleeing for safety amid the recurring onslaught.
The scourge of bandit attacks struck a devastating blow on December 24 when assailants descended on Garam, claiming the life of a pastor from the Redeemed Christian Church of God and abducting 13 others. The turmoil continued as the bandits raided Kuduru in the FCT on December 28, kidnapping 18 individuals. The following day, they invaded Azu, resulting in the deaths of three people and the abduction of eight others.
The wave of fear and insecurity has permeated the community, disrupting even the observance of the traditional crossover service on December 31. Many churches modified their schedules to host the service earlier in the evening, with only a few able to gather under the protection of heightened security from 10 pm to 4 am.
Tragically, the bandits struck again on January 2, 2024, perpetrating a heinous act by kidnapping an entire family. Disturbingly, the delayed response from the stationed soldiers in the neighboring community of Azu underscored the dire circumstances faced by the terrorized residents.
A resident, speaking under the condition of anonymity, expressed the prevailing atmosphere of dread, stating, “Due to the fear of bandits, most churches did not observe crossover service on December 31st. Some churches observed the service between 5 pm and 8 pm. It was only MFM that observed the service from 11 pm till 4 am. Though soldiers patrol the community during the day, it has not stopped bandits from attacking the people at night. On January 2, an Igala man was attacked, and the bandits kidnapped his whole family.”
The escalating terror has prompted an exodus from Garam, with inhabitants fleeing en masse, seeking refuge in other locations as the community transforms into a ghost town. The apparent inability of the military to stem the tide of banditry has exacerbated the sense of despair and abandonment.
Furthermore, there are concerns that the bandits are targeting individuals with vehicles, viewing them as potential sources of substantial ransom payments in the event of a kidnapping. This predatory behavior only compounds the anguish and distress plaguing the embattled community.
As the specter of chaos looms large over Garam, the plight of its residents underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to stem the relentless assaults and restore a semblance of peace to this embattled region.
