Mr President, not long ago, we the people of the North West affected heavily by banditry calamity cried out loudly until we got the attention of the federal government regarding the ruthless killings perpetrated day and night by the armed bandits in the region particularly, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina States.
Sir, I’m from Shinkafi, one of the deadly territories occupied by the armed bandits in Zamfara State. Shinkafi has a boundary with Isa and Zurmi Local Government Areas in Sokoto and Zamfara States respectively where the prominent bandit’s kingpin Kachalla Bello Turji controls.
The other LGA in the hands of Turji in the Sokoto axis is Sabon Birni. Because of the incessant attacks carried out by the notorious kingpin and his men, the federal road that crossed Gundumi-Isa junction has been permanently closed for several months. The only option the people of this area have for them to go to Sokoto from Isa or Shinkafi is via Sabon Birni to Goronyo and then Gundumi to Sokoto.
People have on their own stopped using this road again to go to Sokoto due to incessant attacks and abductions. The most notable of these attacks was the burning of 42 passengers in a vehicle by the bandits a few days ago in Sabon Birni LGA.
Mr President, I write on behalf of the people of Shinkafi, Isa and Sabon Birni LGAs to thank you for the prompt response to our agitations. We are aware that the military operations being carried out by the Nigeria Military along with the local vigilante is yielding tremendous success. We commend the president for that.
Mr President whenever these types of operations are carried out, from our records at first, we feel happy and develop some hope for ending the banditry crisis. Unfortunately, because the operations are not sustained until the hideouts of the criminals are dismantled they often regroup and return to the communities after the military has withdrawn with strong brutal force thereby afflicting heavy casualties on our people.
A good example is still these 42 passengers that were gruesomely burnt down by the bandits in Sabon Birni LGA. This happened because some specialised vigilantes carried out some operations within Shinkafi and Isa LGAs and sustained casualties on the bandits a few days before the attack.
We, therefore, appeal to the president to order the military to continue with the onslaught until the bandits surrender or they are wiped out completely. We are happy particularly because some of our community members who were abducted have escaped without the payment of ransom last night and many of them have been rescued by the military. The bandits are on the run looking for safety and where to hide at the moment. At least, two of Turji’s lieutenants, Dan Kwaro and Dan Bukkolo have been killed by the military.
Also, as another success linked with the current military intervention, the kingpin sent a letter to the government through the Emir of Shinkafi pleading for a peace dialogue. We urge the president not to allow that to happen. It is their norm to deceive the government in periods like this for reconciliation when there is no food and water for their animals in the bush in addition to the fear they developed due to the attention of the federal government we received to completely wipe them out.
Normally, during the rainy season when there is water and food for their animals they turn hostile against our people and during winter they bow down looking for peace with our people and the government.
We pray to Allahu SWA to support and guide the Nigerian military as it takes the initiative of ending the banditry in Nigeria.
Dr Tijjani Salihu Shinkafi, Senior Lecturer, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto.
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