Why Banditry Lingers in Northwest — Emir
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Why Banditry Lingers in Northwest — Emir
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Emir of Kotorkashi, His Royal Highness, Abubakar Ahmad Umar, has shed light on the persistent challenge of insecurity plaguing the Northwest, most especially Zamfara State.
Speaking with Defence Correspondents on a visit to his palace on Tuesday, the monarch attributed many factors fueling the menace in the region.
The Emir said the situation had escalated due to the allure of gold and other mineral resources, which had attracted both domestic and foreign interests.
He added that “The challenge of insecurity in Zamfara state and northern Nigeria is largely caused by the disagreement between Fulanis and Hausas over cattle rearing,” pinpointing a longstanding tension.
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Umar noted the involvement of foreigners with selfish agendas, asserting, “They bring in arms and give them to our people. While we are busy killing ourselves, they are exploiting our resources.”
He voiced concern over the complicity of foreign collaborators in exacerbating the security crisis in the North, emphasizing the need for transparency in addressing the issue.
Refusing to shy away from the truth, the Emir condemned the cycle of violence, stating, “Our people have been killed, and other Nigerians have also been killed.”
He lamented the vicious cycle of retaliation, noting, “The more security agencies kill the armed Fulanis, the more their numbers increase.”
Painting a grim picture of external threats, the Emir warned, “Today, the military and other security agencies will go after them and kill them; tomorrow, another set will come and attack our people.”
He cited incursions from neighboring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso, advocating the dire need for concerted efforts to stem the tide of violence and exploitation.
The Emir, therefore, said to to end banditry in Nigeria, there must be equality as Nigerians especially the poor have been denied basic things of life by the political class.
“Some politicians without University degrees earn far way above graduates and even soldiers who sacrifice the comfort for the country,” he asserted.
“The resources of the country is not evenly distributed amongst the citizens. The gap between the political class and ordinary citizens is too wide”.
In his remarks, Brigadier General Mohammed Dahiru Abumawashi, the Deputy Director Coordination of Media Operations and team lead, commended the monarch for his fatherly roles in ensuring the safety of his subjects and collaboration with the troops in his domain.
Abumawashi assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will not renege on its responsibility to protect Nigerians from any external threats.
