But we pay money to bandits daily – Zamfara LG chairman
The federal government has denied paying any money to Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) during its recent meeting with the group in Brinin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The minister of interior Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau who stated this in Anka, Zamfara State, while answering questions from questions from journalists described the information that the federal government gave the group money as the “fabrication of mischief makers.”
Dambazau who was in the state to assess the security threat posed by bandits in the state declared:
“Let me state categorically that during our meeting with members of the Miyetti Allah representatives, no issue of money was discussed at all, not to talk about giving them any.
“We did not give them even one kobo. The information being spread is the fabrication of mischief makers trying to divert from the matter facing us, which is the killing of innocent citizens.
“My visit to Zamfara today is in furtherance of that meeting to discuss with stakeholders and as you have seen, we are on course and confident that the issue of banditry in all the affected states is coming to an end,” he said.
However, the vice chairman of Shinkafi local government area of the state, Mr. Sani Galadima, said on Monday (yesterday) that bandits killed six members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the area, adding that the council pays the hoodlums ransoms daily.
“Six members of the Civilian JTF were attacked and killed on Sunday by the bandits after receiving their pay from Shinkafi town and were on their way back to their villages.
“Even yesterday (Sunday), these bandits sent a letter to the district head of Shinkafi town (saying) that they were coming to attack the town.
“This ugly situation is very disheartening; every day we pay millions of naira in ransom to these bandits. We really need government’s urgent support to end this problem.
“Our women also suffer a lot (because) the bandits attack communities and abduct ladies from their parents’ homes.
People no longer sleep with their two eyes closed in the night in Shinkafi local government area.
“We want the government to resolve the issue of shortage of troops and police. We only have 19 soldiers in this town.
“We need urgent intervention from the government; we are not satisfied with the efforts and strategies of the security agencies.
“We all know the camps where these bandits stay; even the security men are aware of these camps; our major concern is that security personnel are not getting to these bandits.
“We are hoping that with this visit, this problem will come to an end,” he said.
He also said that no fewer than 98 communities in Shinkafi council area had deserted their homes due to banditry.
Responding, Dambazau expressed condolences on the loss of lives and other losses the people had suffered.
“This is not my first visit to Zamfara; we started this process to ensure lasting solutions to these problems, not only in Zamfara State.
“President Buhari asked me to visit Shinkafi and Anka emirates in Zamfara to carry out the assessment and discuss these issues. The President also expresses his condolence over loss of lives and destruction of properties as a result of insecurity.
“It is the responsibility of government to ensure lives and properties are secure. That is why we must do everything possible to ensure the end of this situation.
“We commenced this process by meeting with the leaders of Miyetti Allah; we are going to consult with traditional rulers and governors of the most affected states.”
In Anka, the Emir and chairman of Zamfara State Council of chiefs, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, told the minister, said no fewer than 13,000 people had fled villages in his domain because of attacks by bandits.
He asked the federal government to act fast to enable the people return to their farms.
“We are happy that the Minister of Interior has come here to see us and to condole with us over the tragedy we are experiencing. Now that you are here, our hope of getting rid of these criminals has been rekindled.
“We have witnessed a lot of killings and abductions of our people. As I am talking to you now, we have more than 13,000 people who have left their villages and relocated here (to Anka town). There are many others at different towns and villages. Some of them have even left the state.
“So, the issue of farming is not possible because the people have deserted their villages and unless Federal Government does something urgent and in time, many people would not have the chance to farm.”
Responding, Dambazau said the federal government would
get rid of the bandits.
“President Buhari is much worried about what is currently happening in Zamfara and that is why he sent me to visit you,” he said.
The minister said the federal government had mapped out strategies on how best to tackle the security issues in the state and called on the people to have patience.
“I want to assure the people of Zamfara State that the federal government would very soon end the killings and kidnappings in the state. Once again, warn the bandits to either surrender or face the wrath of the law.”
With NAN report
