Zamfara – Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has said part of the reasons for the persistent banditry is the non-punishment of the apprehended criminals.
Matawale who spoke on Wednesday in Zamfara said many times bandits are released without being charged.
The governor spoke when he received a Federal Government delegation on sympathy visit to the state over the recent attacks on some communities in Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas of the state.
Members of the delegation, which was headed by the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), were the National Security Adviser, retired Major-General Babagana Munguno and the Inspector -General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali.
Others are Minister for Police Affairs Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouk, and Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media ,Garba Shehu.
“Another problem we have noticed is that despite the remarkable zeal of our troops, they lack modern equipment with which to prosecute modern warfare.
” Prosecution of modern warfare depends largely on modern war equipment and gadgets.
“It is very vital for these modern war instruments to be provided to our troops if we are to win this fight against banditry in Zamfara and the North West.
“It is evident that unless enough modern equipment is provided to our security forces to fight the war effectively, the country faces the danger of anarchy.
“This could be foreseen from the recent calls by some leaders for their people to take up arms to defend themselves. It is a recipe for lawlessness when the state loses its monopoly over the instruments of coercion.
“As a matter of urgency, the Federal Government should procure Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and deploy them across all parts of the country.
” If 1000 APCs could be made available, they would go a long way in turning the tide of the war against the bandits in a short period of time, Insha Allah.
“I want to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the fact that the pockets of insurgencies in many parts of the north are interrelated.
“In some instances, evidence has been found of connection between Boko Haram and some of the bandit groups operating in the northwest.
“There should be a comprehensive review of our strategy of fighting insurgency. We need a more workable plan of action tailored explicitly in tune with the realities on the ground.
” This is a clarion call for us to step up efforts in this fight before the dreadful monster consumes our region and the country as a whole.
“I would like to add that any strategy to be drawn for fighting banditry and all forms of insurgency should focus greater attention on Zamfara State. Our forests have become fortresses for bandits, from where they plan and launch attacks to other parts of the northwest,” he added.
He said as part of the strategy, special forces should be deployed to some black spots, particularly identified to be more dangerous centres of activities of the bandits.
Matawalle said in his administration’s search for peace, he built cooperation not just with the affected states but with the authorities of the Niger Republic.
He also said that traditional hunters were employed and provided with motorcycles and allowances.
He said hunters had received N53 million till date for their upkeep.
The governor also disclosed that N250 million was spent on the payment of allowances for members of Civilian JTF and procurement of vehicles and conventional security outfits.
Earlier, Magashi said the federal government was determined to bring and end to killings in the country. (vitalnews)
