Politicians Urged to Unite Against Banditry in Zamfara as Governor Seeks Help

The executive Director of Patriots for Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, called on political leaders to put politics aside and collaborate to put an end to the issue of banditry and kidnappings in the Northern part of Nigeria, especially in Zamfara State.

Shinkafi highlighted the alarming levels of killings, banditry, and kidnapping for ransom in Zamfara State, emphasizing that innocent citizens are being displaced from their communities.

He also noted that the payment of ransom by victims has become a criminal enterprise for the bandits, funding the acquisition of arms and ammunition to sustain their reign of terror.

The executive Director stressed the need for a more robust military presence in Zamfara, as the present military personnel are under-trained and under-equipped, leading to the destruction of military assets by the bandits.

He also suggested that the governor of Zamfara State should seek home-grown solutions and meet with community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to address the issue.

Shinkafi pointed out that the root causes of banditry in the region include unemployment, corruption, and lack of education.

He urged leaders to prioritize the welfare of their constituents over political expediency and work together to resolve the issue.

The existing community protection guards, according to Shinkafi, are limited in their capacity and by their lack of authority to bear arms.

He emphasized the need for a political will to pursue and fight the banditry elements, noting that most of the bandits in the area are indigenous.

The situation in Zamfara State has reached a critical point, and it is now more important than ever for political leaders to unite and take decisive action to address the issue of banditry and kidnappings.

By putting politics aside and collaborating on home-grown solutions, the government can effectively protect its citizens and ensure their constitutional rights to live in peace and security.