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Banditry: LG Chairman Appeals for Return of Military Base

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The Chairman of Isa Local Government Area in Sokoto State, Alhaji Sharifu Kamarawa, has revealed shocking details about the ongoing insecurity in his communities. He disclosed that bandits, under the leadership of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, have taken control of several villages in the eastern part of Isa, appointing and deposing village heads at will.

Alhaji Kamarawa made this revelation during a meeting with the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, who visited the local government secretariat on Thursday to assess the security situation in the region.

In his address to the minister, Kamarawa painted a grim picture of life in parts of Isa, where bandits have imposed their rule and continue to terrorize residents.

“Here in Isa town, we are living peacefully. The problem is in the eastern part of Isa,” the chairman said.

“There are places that are still under the control of bandits. They appoint and depose village heads there,” he added.

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This shocking development highlights the deepening insecurity in Sokoto State, where banditry has been a persistent problem, especially in rural areas. The situation in Isa is part of a broader security challenge affecting many northern states, where bandit groups frequently carry out attacks, kidnap for ransom, and enforce their rule over ungoverned territories.

Kamarawa urged the federal government to urgently restore the military camp in Kagara, which was relocated some time ago. According to him, when the camp was active, the presence of soldiers helped bring relative peace to the region. However, since its removal, bandits have regained control of several communities, forcing locals to live under their rule.

“We are appealing for a military camp in Kagara to take care of those areas. We used to have a camp there before it was relocated. Then there was a relative peace in those places. So we want the camp back,” he pleaded.

The local government chairman’s appeal is a reflection of the desperation felt by many communities in northern Nigeria, where the security situation has deteriorated due to the activities of bandits, armed groups, and kidnappers.

While the situation remains dire, Kamarawa acknowledged that the death of one of the region’s most feared bandit leaders, Halilu Sububu, had brought some temporary relief.

Sububu, who was killed about a month ago, had been a key figure in the banditry that plagued the region. His death, according to the chairman, has led to a noticeable reduction in attacks on some communities.

“There has been a significant reduction in attacks on our communities since the death of Halilu Sububu. We can now use some roads that were previously unsafe and deserted,” Kamarawa noted.

However, despite this brief respite, the presence and influence of other bandit leaders, such as Bello Turji, continue to be a source of fear and insecurity for many residents.

In response to the concerns raised by the chairman, the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, assured the people of Isa that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is fully aware of the security challenges facing Sokoto State and the entire northern region.

According to Matawalle, President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the rising insecurity in the North and has made it a priority to address the issue. He pointed out that this was the reason why northerners were appointed to lead the Ministry of Defence and other key security positions.

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“The President also directed me to ensure the militarisation of all the danger areas in the state. So we are going to create a military base at Gundumi, which will be patrolling the Gundumi-Marnona road, which has remained closed for years,” Matawalle said.

He assured the residents that the government would deploy more security operatives to Isa Local Government and other affected areas to restore peace and stability.

Matawalle also stressed the importance of cooperation between the government, security forces, and local communities in combating banditry. He urged residents to provide information on the movements of bandits to help security forces plan and execute their operations effectively.

“So we need your support because the issue of security is everyone’s business. We need to know about the bandits’ movement,” he said.

The minister’s call for collaboration between citizens and security agencies comes at a time when there is growing recognition that solving Nigeria’s security crisis will require more than just military interventions. Many experts argue that a multi-faceted approach, including intelligence gathering, community engagement, and social development, is necessary to address the root causes of insecurity in the country.

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