Residents of at least 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states struggle to survive as kidnappers, cattle rustlers and bandits make their lives difficult.
A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicates that residents of the affected areas have been forced to migrate, enter into deals with criminals or live a life of uncertainty.
In Sokoto state, residents said the hardest-hit local government areas are Isa, Sabon Birni, Gwadabawa, Illela, Tangaza and Goronyo.
NAN deduced that residents had been forced to abandon their farms, while some villages had been left abandoned in the affected LGAs.
Abubakar Bawa, Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s chief press secretary, said the state government was aware of the enormity of the situation.
“We are prioritizing ensuring a safe environment. Addressing security challenges has remained high on our administration’s nine-point agenda.
“Our goal as a government is to ensure that citizens sleep with both eyes closed and continue to live and interact in peace,” he said.
He said the Nigerian army, police and other security agencies have been making efforts to secure the areas.
The governor’s spokesman said the government would continue to provide all necessary support for security agencies to address the challenges.
In addition, Sokoto state police command spokesman Ahmad Rufai said police commissioner Ali Kaigama has been engaging residents to facilitate the flow of actionable information to tackle banditry and other crimes.
He said the command had taken action, deployed personnel and materials, and had been collaborating with other security agencies to crack down on banditry and other crimes in the state.
The police spokesman said local governments in the eastern parts of Sokoto state were mainly affected by security challenges.
In Zamfara, a civil society activist, Faruk Shehu, said many communities in the state’s 14 LGAs have been displaced, with residents of the Maru, Anka, Shinkafi, Maradun, Zurmi, Gusau and Bungudu LGAs being the most affected.
He said previous attempts at dialogue with the bandits had failed, resulting in an escalation of security challenges in the state.
“The security challenges in the state started as cattle rustling and then morphed into banditry and kidnapping,” Shehu said.
He expressed the hope that the continued engagement initiated by Governor Dauda Lawal with the armed forces and other security agencies will lead to an escalation of attacks against the bandits to secure the areas they have dominated.
The state government has already been emphatic that there will be no peace agreement with the bandits.
This was emphasized by the Secretary of the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada, who said that the government will never dialogue with the bandits as previous administrations have done.
Nakwada added that the state governor would support security agencies and community groups in bringing criminals to their knees.
The situation in Kebbi has already claimed the lives of at least 2,500 people between 2019 and 2023, according to Bamaiyi An’iko, secretary of the Zuru Development Foundation.
An’iko said 2,500 people were killed in the Danko, Wasagu, Fakai, Sakaba and Zuru LGAs, all under the emirate of Zuru.
He said that bandits have been attacking and displacing rural communities in the emirate, adding that some communities around Bena, Danko and Wasagu had been under siege or under the full control of bandits.
“Some communities had to sign agreements with the bandits,” said the secretary of the foundation.
“There are many internally displaced people who require the urgent provision of relief materials, including food and toiletries, clothing and mats.”
He urged the state government and other agencies not to let up in providing relief assistance to the internally displaced.
Mr. An’iko praised the efforts of the army, police and other security agencies working to restore peace in Kebbi.
The deputy governor of Kebbi state, Umar Tafida, assured that the government is determined to end the security challenges.
Tafida also said that the government would continue to provide support to victims of bandit attacks who have been forced to leave their homes.
According to him, the government is concerned about the recurring banditry attacks that have caused loss of life, destruction of property and a negative impact on agricultural activities.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Security Agents Arrest Suspected Bandits, Wives And Suspected Informants After Returning From Saudi Arabia
“The state government, under the leadership of Dr. Nasir Idris, will leave no stone unturned to ensure that banditry comes to an end in the state.
“Communities must help security agencies with credible intelligence to catch bandits and bring them to justice,” added the lieutenant governor.
He warned that the government would deal decisively with informers or anyone caught colluding with bandits.
In addition, Ahmad Idris, the governor’s chief press secretary, said that in addition to the Zuru Emirate, the government had deployed troops in three local government areas under the Yauri Emirate that are also facing challenges from bandits.
“The government is doing everything possible to ensure that the situation is fully addressed,” he added.
A community leader, Sani Umar-Jabbi, said that community engagement needed to be prioritized to address security challenges in the country.
He said that in addition to a change in attitude among Nigerians, the country should come up with a policy to curb population growth.
Umar-Jabbi, chief of Gagi district in Sokoto state, said the unplanned population has contributed to the escalation of the crisis due to reduced farmland, grazing areas and other natural resources.
(YAYA)
Read More Related News Here
Let hear it in the comment below if you do have an opinion on this; 23 local governments fighting against insecurity in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi – NAN Survey