*Recipients, residents of benefitting communities express joy
A Kaduna based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Victims of Bandits Support Initiative has donated food items and cash worth millions of Naira to fifty women who have been rendered homeless and and dislocated from their communities.
The NGO distributed 30 bags of 25 kg of rice and cash to 30 women in Tumburkai in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State on Thursday January 12, 2023.
It initially distributed 25 kg of rice and undisclosed sum of cash to twenty widows in Afaka on Wednesday in Kaduna State.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of Victim Banditry Support Initiative, Mr. Abdullahi Usman Tumburkai, said that the NGO was motivated by the fact that there is the need for the society to support the needy especially the widows and those who lost their sources of livelihood and loved due to the ravaging insecurity in the NorthWest of the country.
He said, “although I don’t have much, but I am not happy seeing those affected by bandits activities and cannot feed, so out.of the little God has given us, we intend to make sure the needy are also fed,” he said.
He assured that the supply of food items and cash to widows would be a continuous affair.
“The NGO intends to continue giving food items and cash to the widows and others for the foreseeable future and we are calling on the state and federal governments and wealthy individuals to pool their resources together in helping the widows,” he added.
The coordinator who lamented the worsening state of insecurity in Tumburkai and environs, urged the Federal Government to set up an Army Forward Base in the settlement in order to deter the activities of the bandits
He further lamented that for over two years, Tumburkai and surrounding communities have not witnessed any form of military presence or patrol, a factor which has emboldened the bandits.
“It is therefore, necessary for the government to do the needful by setting military presence in these areas,” he appealed.
Some of the beneficiaries lauded the NGO for coming to their aide.
For Aisha Ayuba from Tumburkai Ward 1, it is was indeed a thing of joy.
“I did not have a single grain of food in my house till Mr. Abdullahi Usman sent to get me so that I can get food,” she said.
The Councilor of Tumburkai A Ward, Hon. Amirul Suleiman was extremely happy over the gesture of Abdullahi Usman-led NGO and thanked him for all he has been doing for Tumburkai.
He added, “When it comes to community development, service to humanity and good governance, Abdullahi Usman is at the forefront of these activities.
He continued, “Mr.Usman is the number one fellow that championed the fight against poverty, fight against unemployment and to bring development to his community, for this, we thank you,” Hon Suleiman added.
Another beneficiary, Asabe Muhammed was equally grateful that she was given a bag of rice and a sum of cash to purchase ingredients
The Youth Leader of Tumburkai Community, Malam Ibrahim Dan Libya on behalf of the community, expressed gratitude to the NGO and Abdullahi Tumburkai.
“What happened here in Tumburkai today is a very good initiative by the NGO and we are very grateful to God and the Victims of Banditry Support Initiative.
“In as much as we are thanking the NGO, we are also calling on the Federal Government, State Government to come to our aid just like Abdullahi’s NGO is doing right now.
“We need security, we need light and we need good roads,” he added.
