Shinkafi calls for synergy between military, Zamfara government to end banditry
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, has urged security agencies in to work in close synergy with the Zamfara State government, under Gov. Dauda Lawal , to effectively combat armed banditry in the state.
The Executive Director of the group, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, in a statement in Abuja emphasised that the security and welfare of the people remain the constitutional mandate and primary purpose of government.
He urged security agencies in the state to be firm and decisive in crushing armed banditry in the state and not awaiting orders from Abuja before discharging their constitutional mandates of protecting lives and property.
The security analyst and former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, said that many attacks on the people of Zamfara could have been prevented if security agencies had responded promptly to intelligence from the state government.
He praised Governor Dauda Lawal’s efforts, including the procurement of advanced technology like environmental remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), and Global Positioning System (GPS) to track bandits.
He also noted the provision of 150 operational vehicles to security agencies and the engagement of 2,000 Civilian Joint Task Force members and hunters to complement security personnel.
He added that the State’s Community Protection Guard ( Assakarawa) who were deployed across the 14 local government areas of the state with additional operational vehicles, motorcycles, licenced weapons and logistics to assist conventional security agencies in the fight against armed bandits.
Shinkafi, however, said that in spite the efforts of the Lawal in line with his unwavering commitment to banditry in the state, there was still concerns about quick response from security agencies on intelligence reports.
Shinkafi noted that the military’s top brass, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has already made it clear that commanders are to act decisively to secure their communities and that any failure to do so would result in a court-martial.
Shinkafi said this instruction from the military high command makes the inaction of troops in Zamfara even more “curious.”
He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene inline with his Renewed Hope Agenda, warning against the “politicisation of banditry” by some influential politicians from the state who, he alleged, were sabotaging security efforts for political gain.
“It is obvious that banditry in the state can end within two months if there is collaboration between the military and the state government to flush out these criminal elements.
“What is lacking is the political will to crush them. The Nigerian military and other paramilitary personnel are well trained and equipped as demonstrated in their various peacekeeping operations around the world,” he said.
The former Chairman, Zamfara State Committee for the Prosecution of Bandits and related Offences recalled that in-depth report of the committee containing recommendations that could help to address the menace of insecurity was submitted to the previous administration of Gov. Bello Matawalle.
Shinkafi expressed concerns about heavy deployment of security personnel and armoured personnel carriers for the a recent by-election in Kaura Namoda South State House of Assembly constituency, instead of doing same to combat the insecurity challenge facing the state.
This according to him emphasised the need to review and rejig the nation’s security architecture.
“Security is everybody’s business. Life has no duplicate. We must value the sanctity of human life.
“Let us set aside partisan politics and resolve to build a strong, united, progressive, prosperous and inclusive democratic nation.
“I see the light at the end of the tunnel for a safer Nigeria. Together, we will make it happen,” Shinkafi said.