Terrorists got over 3 billion Naira in ransom off 3,672 persons who were kidnapped in Zamfara between 2011 and 2019 according to a recent report by the Zamfara State Government.
This was contained in a report by the committee set up by the state government to examine the state’s security between June 2011 and May 29, 2019. The committee was led by a former police officer.
The report also disclosed that 25,050 children were left orphaned during the time, along with 4,983 Zamfara women who had lost their husbands.
The report also revealed that operations of terror groups known as bandits resulted in the displacement of 190,340 individuals, forcing them out of their homes within the said period.
According to the report, 147,800 cars including motorcycles and other vehicles were burned or damaged over the period, while shepherds lost 2,015 cattle, 141 sheep and goats, 2,600 donkeys, and camels to rustlers.
Clariform recalls that in response to rising crime and kidnapping for ransom in the region, the state’s governor, Bello Matawalle, established a committee in 2019 under the leadership of Muhammad Abubakar, a former inspector general of police, to examine the state’s security between June 2011 and May 29, 2019.
The report however, also said that the Zamfara state administration have continued to battle insurgency and reduced the rate of insecurity in the state since Mr. Matawalle took office.
Nevertheless, Clariform reports that Zamfara state remains one of the most dangerous regions in the country, making the governor’s assertion that insecurity has decreased puzzling.
Terrorists continue to terrorize the state, kidnapping, pillaging, and murdering citizens. Terrorists operate parallel governments in various areas of the state, collecting taxes and levies and issuing decrees.
The governor said in a statement sent through his media assistant, Zailani Baffa, that he engaged in talks with terrorists and their parents in an effort to lessen security because the majority of bandits are native Fulani people from Zamfara State.
The governor claimed that he also pleaded with the nation’s military to resolve the situation in the state through non-violent means.
NOTABLE QUOTES
The following agreements, according to him, were reached following multiple discussions with the terrorists and their leaders:
“That all vigilante groups (Yan Sa Kai) will be disbanded at the request of the bandits.”
“That the Fulanis will be provided with social services as enjoyed by other towns in the state.”
“That all Fulani held in the hands of Yan Sa Kai for charges of banditry will be released.”
“The state government in turn requested a stop to abduction and killings by bandits.”
“That all captives will be released without ransom.”
“That all bandits will disarm within a short period.”
He added, “The above agreements were translated into big a success as the bandits (within nine months) released nearly 3,000 captives without ransom. They also stopped attacks either on highways, towns or villages or the markets and farms. They also surrendered over 1000 Ak47 guns and other assorted weapons.”
Gov. Matawalle continued, “In the same vein, the state government proscribed the Vigilante Group and started building modern RUGA in each of the three senatorial districts in the state. The RUGA at Maradun was almost completed with everything needed for modern life for the grazing Fulani.”
“It has 200 pro-type houses, a hospital, a veterinary clinic, a water canal, a grazing area, a police post, a primary school, a mini-stadium, worshipping places and many other basic requirements needed for comfortable living.”
