Banditry

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

The Kaduna State government said Tuesday that the ban on motorcycles (popularly known as “Okada”) for commercial or personal purposes is still in force.

The state’s Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed that “the Kaduna State Government wishes to inform citizens that the ban on use of motorcycles (popularly known as “Okada”), for commercial or personal purposes, remains in place until further notice”.

He further stated, “the Kaduna State Government continues to empathize with citizens over difficulties which these measures may engender, and implores all residents to comply fully with these measures in the wider interest of general security”.

By Ahmadu Shehu, PhD.

The comments by the Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari encouraging local populations to rise and defend themselves have mixed reactions. Governor Masari’s comments betray the frustration of state governments in curbing the incessant killings, kidnappings and wanton terrorism that has overtaken most parts of northern Nigeria, especially the northwest. This also portrays the disgustingly shameful inability of the current administration to secure the lives and properties of its citizens.  

In my opinion, Masari’s call to self-defence is the only option left for defenceless citizens who their governments leave at the mercy of terrorists. After many years of terror and horror, it is now apparent that Nigerians can no longer rely on the government for security and protection. As a result, Nigerians are in constant fear and uncertainty at home, on the road, in hotels, awake or asleep.

For one, the Nigerian police are grossly understaffed, ill-equipped and unmotivated to deal with the least of crimes in our society. Secondly, our last line of defence, the Nigerian armed forces, are overwhelmed. Despite its historical doggedness and glory, the Nigerian army has fallen victim to the Nigerian endemic corruption, nepotism and malfunction.

This, coupled with the fact that the country has been continuously militarized for decades, has oversaturated and weakened the numerical, financial and material strength of the armed forces. From Baga to Yenagoa, Seme to Mubi, Port Harcourt to Sokoto, the Nigerian military struggles with one threat or another within our borders.

Facing serious national threats such as IPOB and Oduduwa separatists, terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru, etc., rampant and rampaging bandits and kidnappers, have disorganized, disoriented and crippled the efficiency and efficacy of the Nigerian armed forces. There is certainly a limit to strength and power.

The Nigerian judiciary, which should have been a deterrent to criminals and the last resort for the masses and the poor, has been an easy, cheap tool for the wealthy. The weak, vulnerable citizens have mostly been on their own. They have resigned to fate and forsaken the course of justice, hoping only to get justice in the hereafter.

While the above is an absolute truth, Gov. Masari’s call is misplaced, ill-timed and counterproductive. My disagreement is not in the principle of what he said but in the approach and implementation. Masari is simply calling for absolute anarchy.

Now that the nation cannot deal with a few unorganized armed zealots, how do we imagine a situation where citizens are armed to the teeth? America, the world superpower, is consumed by this law of necessity. How much more of a country which cannot prosecute the smallest of its criminals?   

How would Gov. Masari deal with thousands of unemployed, illiterate, impoverished youth with arms and ammunition at their disposal? If all communities are armed as the Governor envisages, who will be the law in the state? Does Masari think that people with uncontrolled access to firepower equate to an organized police force? Does he understand that the only difference between the current bandits and yet-to-be-bandit youth is access to weapons and freedom from the law? 

I do not know who is responsible for educating our political leaders about the relationship between poverty, illiteracy and poor governance with the current situation in the north. But, still, whoever it is, they must be doing an awful job.

The simple truth is that most of our youth populations are idle, uneducated and miserably poor. Another fact is that the alternatives to gainful employment, hope and prosperity is despair, criminality and social crises.

There is still Katsina government house where the Governor lives in peace because the majority have no access to lethal weaponry. That scarcity is because of the restraint ensured by the law and order that is still in place.

While I disagree with Masari’s approach to this solution, I still believe that this is our only option to ending this madness in the short term. But, to succeed in this, there must be a workable framework.

First, the federal government must decentralize our police force. Secondly, each community must be led by the officials of our security forces to establish a community-based security outfit responsible for securing the immediate and broader community. Finally, all weapons must be registered and deployed through the security personnel in each community.

All participating community members must be registered with biometrics accessible to all Nigerian security agencies. In addition, all participating individuals must be given a short training on the use of firearms. The local and state authorities must provide ammunition, and all participating individuals must be assessed and be accessible to security and local authorities.

When this collaborative network of locals and state security forms a cohesive, functional security outfit, these devils will doubtlessly be defeated in no time.

However, the essential requirement for this to happen is a national leadership capable of mobilizing the citizens to confront local and national threats. Until this is achieved, all solutions are hanging on the balance. The Fulani say “hoore nastii hooraare, Allah yidoo gite”.

Dr Ahmadu Shehu is a herdsman, a social commentator, and passionate about the Nigerian project. He can be reached via ahmadsheehu@gmail.com.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

Reports indicate that airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jet have successfully killed notorious bandit leaders Alhaji Auta and Kachalla Ruga in Zamfara State.

Yusuf Anka, a social media activist and an authoritative local reporting about the region’s security, confirmed the attack on his Twitter handle.

“About seven bandits who went to retrieve the body of their leader Alhaji Auta from the scene of the bombardment have [also] been bombed and killed by the NAF”, Anka added.

Zamfara is one of the northwestern Nigerian states plagued by bandits and kidnappers. Some of the identified bandit leaders were declared wanted by Nigerian security.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Reports from Kaduna State disclosed how the Nigeria Police Force stormed bandits’ camp on Friday.

The camp was said to have belonged to one Isiya, a notorious bandit, located in Sabon Birni forest of Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

During the raid, one bandit was reported killed while two were arrested on December 31, 2021.

ASP Jalige Muhammed, the State Command’s Public Relations Officer, in a statement issued on Saturday, disclosed.

He said that the operation was carried out by the operatives of the state command in collaboration with the Force Intelligence Bureau and Special Tactical Squad of the Force Headquarters, Abuja and some local vigilantes.

The statement also added that nine kidnapped victims were rescued by the operatives that stormed the camp.

“The mission was cautiously and successfully executed which resulted in one bandit neutralized, while many others escaped with varying degrees of bullet wounds.

“Two suspects namely; Rabe Baushe and Badamasi Usman, were arrested and taken into custody for further investigation,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, eight of the nine rescued victims have now been reunited with their families immediately after undergoing a medical checkup at the Police medical facility and were profiled.

By Muhammad Sabiu

The Nigeria Police Force has rescued at least ten persons abducted on Wednesday in Zamfara State.

The victims were said to have been abducted in Bungudu Local Government Area when terrorist bandits stormed the Gada community.

In the attacks that lasted for hours, the terrorist bandits also killed a district head, Ummaru Bawan Allah, and abducted many others.

However, speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the state’s police commissioner, Ayuba Elkana, confirmed that his men had been able to rescue ten of the abductees.

He added that the rescue mission was successful after a coalition of police officers, soldiers, and vigilante members swung into action by chasing the terrorist bandits.

Zamfara State is one of the northwestern states that the activities of the gunmen have ravaged.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has called on residents of the state to arm themselves and confront bandits, reiterating that it is “Islamically allowed for one to defend himself against attack.”

Masari said the state government would help those who are ready to own arms with the view to help end the menace. The governor lamented that the security officials alone could not tackle insecurity in the state.

Katsina State is one of the states in the northwestern part of the country that has witnessed incessant attacks by bandits. Reports disclosed how hundreds of people had been injured, killed or kidnapped in Katsina this year, with thousands more displaced from their homes.

Governor Masari made the call while speaking during a media parley with journalists at the Muhammadu Buhari House in Katsina. He added that the number of security personnel they have is insufficient to tackle the situation.

Masari was quoted as saying: “It’s Islamically allowed for one to defend himself against attack. One must rise to defend himself, his family and assets. If you die while trying to defend yourself, you’ll be considered a martyr.

“It’s surprising how a bandit would own a gun while a good man trying to defend himself and his family doesn’t have one,” the governor said.

“We’ll support those who come with the initiative to procure arms because residents need to also complement the efforts of security agencies. These people (security agents) don’t have the number to protect the people.

When President Buhari came, he even tried by increasing the number of our security agents, but it’s inadequate. Count it yourself, how many policemen do we have in this country? How many soldiers do we have?

“Even if we say every policeman should go back to his home state, it’ll still not be enough. So, if we fold our arms and decide to do nothing, we’ll be the ones to suffer most,” he lamented.

However, Masari added that the police would register all guns bought by the residents to ensure they are put to the right use.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Dangi USA Association of Northern Nigerians has lambasted the atrocities of bandits in Nigeria, voicing a clarion call on the government to remember its cardinal responsibility of protecting lives and properties.

The association reiterated that since bandits had transgressed all common senses, they should therefore be treated as an existential threat that must be eliminated.

The call which was in a release signed Sunday by the Director Public Relations of the association, Kabir lsa Jikamshi, disclosed the grievance over the incessant killings of innocent souls.

They said that it is disheartening to witness the ongoing despicable acts of kidnapping, ransom collection and gruesome killing of innocent men, women and children especially in the North-Western part of the country.

The statement reads: “This banditry, presently constitutes a transgression that does not allow room for any negotiation. No previous grievances can justify the wanton destruction of lives and property. 

“Therefore, no one, neither the government nor private parties should negotiate in any form with the bandits.

“We call on the government to remember its cardinal responsibility of protecting life and property. Insecurity is persistent only in an ungovernable situation; Please do not abdicate your responsibilities. 

“The government should do more by taking the war to the bandits and enact the necessary legislation that will allow individuals to defend themselves without any reservation.

“This is a collective responsibility and all hands should be on deck. Thus, the general public must also remember that they have a very important role to play by supporting the efforts of the security agencies. “if you see something suspicious, say something”.

“Informants and any other individual or group enabling the activities of the bandits should be treated as one them.

“The catch and release of some of these criminals without trial is totally wrong and must stop,” the statement added.
Dangi Association also commiserated with the families of the victims of these atrocities.

“We pray the Almighty Allah will offer solace to the victims and their families. We feel the frustrations and anger of the Nigerian citizens.”

“We empathize with you for enduring these harsh conditions of insecurity and constrictions in the liberty of movement and performance of other daily activities,” they added.

By Auwal Umar

The books of history and religion are replete with facts of many apostles of Allah, their companions, their followers, other great personalities, as well as some pious predecessors who audaciously confronted the most brutally imposing rulers of their times. Prophet Moses’ Pharaoh is the most prominent example from the time immemorial to date. Two days ago, an erudite Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Prof. Mansur Sokoto, chose that path of honour that commensurates with the position of Islamic scholarship regarding the tear-shedding condition of insecurity and unprecedented carefree attitude about the general plight of the masses.

In the lecture, the Islamic cleric gave an overview of the multifaceted ways the occupant of the number one seat, the assumed Messiah, betrayed the mandate entrusted to him by the Nigerian masses. You may recall how President Buhari shed tears each time he was on the losing side at the polls and showed sympathy with our plight during the previous dispensations. Due to his long-standing and seemingly unfading popularity, people from every nook and cranny in the North supported him.

Prof. Sokoto recounted how an old woman of 100 years or thereabouts was optatively praying: “O God never take away my soul, lest I die without voting for Buhari to the presidential seat.” Some in the North died due to wild celebrations for his success. He commented on the support he enjoyed from some Islamic clerics, with some of them publicly invoking the wrath of Allah upon those that refused to vote for him. These bespoke the unalloyed love President Buhari enjoyed.

During the lecture, Prof. Sokoto brought to the fore some of the campaign promises Buhari used to make. He always assured the northerners and Nigerians in general that he would equate the value of Naira to a Dollar, improve the quality of education at all levels, reduce the pump price, among many other sugarcoated promises. Before Prof. Sokoto went on squarely to shed light on the height of insensitivity of President Buhari, he commended his efforts for restoring peace in the North in his first tenure before the worst came to worst. Specifically, the following are some key takeaways from Prof. Sokoto’s lecture.

Discriminatory and lopsided treatment against the North

As highlighted in the lecture, despite all the support president Buhari received before and after getting elected, he scrapped the pilgrimage subsidy. On every predicament that befalls the South, the President and his aides will quickly make a press release and take necessary actions but act quite differently when there is a similar occurrence in the North. Recently, 42 passengers were ruthlessly burnt down to ashes by bandits, but their lives were not worth a word of sympathy from the President. On the following day, ignominiously, the President headed to Lagos for a book launch by Bisi Akande. Ironically, there in the book, many blows of satire were landed on his face, which he might be unaware of. Again, bandits launched a series of attacks for four consecutive days, killing an APC gubernatorial candidate. A Kaduna state law-maker and a Katsina State Science and Technology Commissioner also fell victim to the same fate. Additionally, the former President, Shehu Shagari, lost his life, but President chose to go to the funeral of late Abiola’s wife. Even Prof. Ayo Banjo, treated with reverence, was quick to disown some facts credited to him in the book that seemed to be more important than the lives of charred passengers.

Misplacement of priorities

Buhari’s government is very good at misplacing its priorities. He borrowed a large sum of billions to share with some ghosts and nonexistent beneficiaries. Such funds can be used appropriately to address many problems bedevilling the nation.  Had the amount, vainly shared with less visible economic impact, been channelled for the general fixing of the power sector, the impacts from all its veins would have been visibly seen. Resident doctors’ lingering problem of strikes can be a thing of the past if just four billion naira would be dedicated to their cause. That is without talking about the flashy presidential weddings that gulped many billions in a day.

Failure of the government to address cattle rustling dilemma

The cleric hints at a crucial point that needs special attention. He lamented that many Fulanis’ cattle were stolen with no action taken against the theft, and the entrepreneurs of doom and downfall might have capitalized this. In other words, the problem of banditry is probably the result of retaliation by the aggrieved Fulani youth whose cattle were rustled, and the government failed to call the culprits to book. Such instances of “I don’t-care attitudes” by Buhari’s government can’t be numbered. If the government were seriously proactive on the issue, the chances are that we would not be in the present situation.

Wrong advisors and mediocrity

Despite the inexplicable delay of six months to appoint ministers, President Buhari picked one of the worst sets of cabinets, some of whom are unheard of even in the mass media. The President neither gave room for workable advice nor appointed competent hands to handle the job. Moreover, he does not listen to the voices of the experts, journalists, activists and Islamic clerics.

The cabinet goes unchecked

Once you are appointed to serve in Buhari’s government, you can do whatever you like because no one would hold you responsible for your actions or inactions. Buhari hardly gets his cabinet reshuffled because he does not care for accountability. If you were to assess his cabinet by any reasonable standard, the result would surely be awful. As a result, his cabinet members are often unruffled and well aware that they would be sacked only if they clash with some untouchable cabals.

Corruption, impunity and an unworkable justice system

Prof. lamented the high level of corruption in the government, with government officials routinely stealing public funds, with no fear of facing the consequences. He labelled the justice system under this administration as unworkable. Unfortunately, the arrests of kidnappers, bandits and insurgents always resurface on social media, but you never hear of them being sentenced. More often than not, some criminals confess their crimes not under duress but because of frailty in the justice system. And yet, they still go scot-free.

Yawuri students still in captivity

A responsible government can never be in peace when just one of its citizens is in danger.  One cannot begin to imagine the unspeakable horror of being held captive by those filthiest beasts, rapists and defilers. The worst thing now is that government does not even talk about them, much less of their potential release from their captors. These innocently helpless students have been in captivity for five months in this horrific condition. There are other similar scenarios in Niger and many other northern states.

Powerful task force on security

The cleric recommended that the government set up a team of presidential task force similar or even more robust than the Covid-19 task force to tackle insecurity head-on. The team should include experts, intellectuals, journalists, traditional rulers, elder statesmen and politicians to provide strategic advice and technical know-how.

State governors should be granted the power to act on the security of their states

Although state governors nominally bear the ceremonial titles of “Chief Security”, their power to act on security issues is limited. Thus, Prof. Sokoto advised that laws should be enacted to enable governors to act and direct the security agencies at their disposal. However, it is a bitter truth that no matter how willing a governor of a crisis-ridden state is, he is not much different from his poor citizens. 

The need to be more pious

Finally, the Islamic cleric emphasized the need for the President and the rest of us to be more God-fearing in all our doings. May Allah reward Prof. Mansur Sokoto for his invaluable words concerning the reality and the sorry state of the nation, amin.

Auwal Umar wrote from Kano. He is a graduate student at the Department of English and Literary Studies, Bayero University, Kano.

By Aisar Fagge

The Ulama Forum in Nigeria is greatly concerned and saddened over the perpetual killings of innocent lives going on unabated in Nigeria, especially in the North West of the country in recent times.

The forum disclosed this in its press release signed by its secretary, Engr. Basheer Adamu Aliyu, on Monday, December 13, 2021, and sent to The Daily Reality today, Thursday, December 16, 2021.

The statement reads: “Our hearts bleed over the dastardly and inhuman act of burning alive of 23 passengers in Sokoto state. Other equally sad losses of lives that were witnessed in Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara and Katsina states over the last one week are heart touching, frustrating and to say the least unpardonable. It is highly inconceivable how bandits and terrorists move about freely in the land, committing heinous acts and atrocities unchecked by the power of government and its security agencies.”

“The terrorists have desecrated all religious, human and universal values and indeed, they have lost their faith and humanity; they must be confronted head-on with might and power. We most strongly urge the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to sit up to its responsibility of protecting the lives of Nigerian citizens. It would be recalled that in the year 2020, out of similar concern over the deteriorating trend of insecurity, the Ulama Forum had advanced nearly a dozen suggestions to the governments at all levels so as to curb the Boko Haram menace, banditry and other security challenges facing the Northern region.”

“It is sad to note that most of our suggestions were ignored and security situation in the country has been moving from bad to worse,” the Forum lamented.

“Based on the foregoing, we would like to once more urge the FGN to re-assess its security strategies and spending with a view to unfolding a more holistic and all-inclusive approach. We believe that divine intervention is a most potent weapon against the bandits, insurgents and their collaborators.”

“To this end, members of the Forum have resolved to devote themselves to alqunut (special prayer in times of turmoil) during each prayer session. Similarly, special prayers should be observed in Madaaris (Islamiyyah Schools) and other places of gathering.”

“We pray to Allah to give our leaders the listening ears to hear the cries of its weak, terrorised and terrified citizens, particularly in the North. May they have the wisdom, will, determination and ability to do the needful and ensure peace and security in the land. There is no power or strength save in Allah,” it concluded.

The release was endorsed by its members such as:

Prof. Mansur Ibrahim (mni), Sokoto; Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, Kano; Dr. Abubakar Muhamad Sani B/Kudu, Jigawa; Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, Kaduna; Prof. Muhammad Babangida Muhammad, Kano; Dr. Said Ahmad Dukawa, Kano; Prof. Salisu Shehu, Bauchi; Prof. Ahmad Bello Dogarawa, Kaduna; Amir Abdullahi Abubakar Lamido, Gombe; Dr. Ibrahim Adam Omar Disina, Bauchi; Prof. Ahmad Murtala, Kano; Sheikh Tijjani Bala Kalarawi, Kano;