Towards A Bandits Free North, by Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

The gruesome killing of Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District of Sokoto, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, by his kidnappers recently painted another gory picture of insecurity in the north and the dangerous dimension it has taken. In the last two decades, the once blossom and burbling Northern Nigeria has become a shadow of its former self. The region which was christened or nicknamed the food basket of the country due to its agricultural potentialities has turned to golgotha where precious lives of helpless people are being crucified on daily basis. This has unarguably paved the way for violent insurgents and banditry related activities to flourish. With the bandits assuming state roles: collecting taxes and dishing out directives to farming communities, one has lost hope if the region will ever know peace. To unravel the genesis of banditry which ravages the North-West states and how the challenges can be addressed, various researches and conferences have been conducted and organised with fantastic recommendations. curiously ,whether our policies makers have tapped from the recommendations or not is yet to be established.

For instance, some of the research findings have alluded or linked the menace of banditry to illegal mining activities, violent clashes between herdsmen and local farming communities, cattle rustling, infiltration from boko haram members and above all foreign conspiracy. Besides, the National Intelligence Agency(NIA) and state security services DSS have continued to provide intelligence reports on the ungodly activities of bandits and their sponsors in the country. This followed by federal government’s deployment of combat ready troops to bandits infested states to contain their nefarious activities. The military solutions to the banditry has come at a time when the troubling state governors have adopted different methods to nip into bud banditry and other related crimes in their states. In Katsina state, during the former administration of Aminu Bello Masari, a peace accord was signed between the leadership of bandits and state government. Sadly, peace became elusive as rapacious bandits failed to respect the agreement, instead, sustain massive onslaught against helpless local communities.

Recently, in an efforts to tackle wanton killings in Zamfara and Katsina States by bandits, governor Dikko Radda and Dauda Dare have established community protection guards. The newly recruited local guards have the knowledge of the terrains and are expected to work together with security personnel through intelligence sharing and operations to tame the menace to bandits. .Despite the facts, concerted efforts have been put in place by relevant authorities to eliminate banditry in the north, renew attacks from these daredevil bandits, is a testament that the fight against banditry is yet over. The bandits have now shifted their deadly attacks to Sokoto state where many communities continue to witness attacks and massive abductions. With the dry season fast approaching and bandits attacks persist, there is tendency that, farmers will have it difficult to harvest their crops. The inability of farmers to access their farms and harvest crops will negatively affect food security in the country.

Though, the federal government and banditry affected northern states have been doing their best to bring to an end the violent activities of bandits in the north, the following strategies if well adopted and implemented would become a panacea to decade old menace of banditry in Northern Nigeria. First, government needs to address poverty and unemployment. Provide economic opportunities and social services to reduce the allure of criminality. Government should deploy more security personnel, establish checkpoints, and enhance intelligence gathering.

Government should Facilitate dialogue between communities and bandits to resolve grievances and find peaceful solutions. There is the need for government to ensure swift and fair prosecution of caught bandits to serve as a deterrent to others. Government should invest in education, healthcare, and social services to address underlying societal issues. Government should Implement modern livestock management practices to reduce conflicts between herders and farmers. Provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities, Address environmental factors like desertification and climate change and above all Strengthen judicial systems to ensure justice and accountability.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State. 08169056963.