In a terrifying assessment of the state’s banditry, Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle said Wednesday that there are at least 30,000 gunmen dispersed in more than 100 camps in and around the state.
He claimed that throughout the eight years between 2011 and 2019, bandits received N970 million in ransom from the relatives of their victims, demonstrating the extent of their control over the state.
The bandits abducted 1,190 persons and killed 2,619 throughout that time.
At a news conference in Kaduna, Matawalle, who took office in May 2019, spoke through Information Commissioner Ibrahim Magaji Dosara.
He added that in order to prevent the wanton destruction of innocent people’s lives and property, his administration chose to negotiate with the robbers and pursue a peaceful course of action.
Before Governor Matawalle took office on May 29, 2019, Dosara claimed that “rampant killings, maiming, kidnapping, raping, vandalism and attacks became the order of the day,” leaving the people of Zamfara in a terrible condition of uncertainty and terror.
According to the facts that are now accessible, more than 2,619 people were slain between 2011 and 2019,” he stated. This is on top of the 1,190 individuals the bandits have abducted.
Records also reveal that almost 100,000 individuals were uprooted from their ancestral houses, 14,378 animals were stolen at that time, and N970 million was paid in ransom.
“People suffered from trauma. In order to grow the typical food and cash crops for their daily requirements, farmers were not allowed to return to their farms.
Both the state and the area as a whole experienced widespread food insecurity. The crisis wreaked havoc on the state’s economy.
This is on top of the widespread use of both light and heavy weaponry, the large number of bandits from nearby nations, and the lack of a clear answer. The crisis refused to be solved in any way.
In addition to the numerous bandit camps located throughout the state and abroad, Matawalle and Fintiri also provide a list of strategies for escaping insecurity.
“At least one hundred (100) distinct bandit camps can be found in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, and Katsina, and at least 300 bandits in each of these camps carry advanced weapons.”
He claimed that because of the “lack of manpower in the security sector and a very poor intelligence network,” the government decided to engage in talks with the bandits.
“Yet, the governor must ensure the protection of the people’s lives and property,” he stated.
“Now tell me, what is the governor’s best option? Should he go to discussion and keep using the remorseful bandits to persuade the stubborn bandits to preserve the lives of the governed, or should he fold his arms and watch his people being killed?
According to Dosara, the government’s action was supported by a number of stakeholders, including members of the state House of Assembly, traditional rulers, state security chiefs, chairmen of local governments, the Council of Ulamas, Fulani and Yansakai leaders, community and opinion leaders, and a number of meetings on the future.
He said that more than 62 bandits have so far been persuaded to give up their weapons by the discussion method.
Additionally, it has resulted in the release of more than 2,000 victims who were abducted with the help of the repentant criminals.
“The bandits who have repented are also assisting in the campaign and persuading those who have not yet accepted the dialogue and reconciliation process to do so,” he stated.
They are also assisting in locating the leaders of the rebellious bandits, as well as their camps and places for communication and peacemaking.
“Zamfara State was free of attacks and kidnappings for nearly eight months after the dialogue and peace process with the bandits began, until recently, when kidnappings and light attacks resurfaced,” he stated.
He claimed that an increase in sporadic attacks and kidnappings, which he claimed were being orchestrated by some conflict entrepreneurs and informants who colluded with the uncooperative bandits to carry out horrible crimes against innocent people, was one of the issues impeding the dialogue process.
When the Zamfara bandits stormed Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe in late February and kidnapped over 300 kids, it caused a worldwide uproar.
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