The member representing Gummi/Bukkuyum federal constituency of Zamfara State, Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, has said that blocking the supply of arms and ammunition from the Niger Republic will go a long way in tackling the rising menace of banditry in his state.
Gumi said this on Friday while reacting to the recent killings and destruction of his constituency by bandits.
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He said, “If we can get the Niger Republic to block all access to all entry points, then what the bandits have will definitely depreciate, and naturally, the fight will cease.”
He said Governor Bello Matawalle recently went to the Niger Republic as part of a strategy to cut the supply of arms and ammunition into the state to tackle banditry, adding that Niger remains the main route for weapons proliferation.
The lawmaker also emphasised the need to equip and engage more local vigilantes to assist in guarding the villages, adding that the military and police are already overstretched and can’t be everywhere.
On the shutdown of telecommunication networks in Zamfara, the lawmaker said the action was successful to a great extent as that helped in blocking the activities of informants, whom he said had always been a hindrance to the efforts of the security forces.
He said there was the need for the federal government and the Nigerian army to take a holistic approach in addressing the menace of banditry, adding, “You cannot focus your attention on Zamfara when Sokoto and Kebbi are open. If your operations are in Zamfara, then you have to block centrally.”
