Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja
Residents of Mararaba in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have been having sleepless night in the last few days following repeated and unhindered attack by armed robbers in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown.
The residents, who have been observing the lockdown ordered by the state government due to the pandemic, have suffered heavy losses in the hands of the robbers, calling on the government to come to their aid.
According to some of the residents, the robbers usually come in their large numbers overwhelming the few security operatives engaged to protect the communities.
One of the residents, who obviously does not want his name on print, told our correspondent that they have resorted to helping themselves by keeping vigil and assisting the security operatives since there is no help coming at all from the Police.
“We do not have any choice but to improvise our own security network to help combat this ugly situation. We thank God that for now no life has been lost, but people have been beaten, I mean beaten really badly for flimsy excuse of not opening your door on time, or not having enough money in your hand.
“On one of the occasion, they came with two Hilux busses and had the time to fill them up with our households, moving from one building to the next without any help coming from the police. We cannot be asked to stay home and the little money we keep to feed our families is taken away from us by these robbers. This is highly unfortunate,” he said.
It was gathered the communities that have suffered the most in the attacks are: Aso Hill estate, Fatima Gold Estate, Prince Abdulahi Ikharo street, Tafawa Balewa street and Sabon Geri, these communities are all behind and around the Karu International Market.
Further investigation revealed that there are no single police station or post located within the communities, a situation which explained why the robbers have easy access and the luxury of time to operate to their fullest satisfaction.
When The Nation contacted the Nasarawa State Government House, one of the officials who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, expressed shock over the development while promising to draw the attention of the Governor to it.
“This news obviously has not come to the ear of the Governor. I will draw his attention to it and I promise you he will see that something is done about this situation. Our governor has zero tolerance to insecurity in the state and Karu local government is very important to him,” he said.
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