Bandits, Violence and the Numbers Game, By Jibrin Ibrahim
There is no coordinated strategy to combat insecurity and the bandits and terrorists are the ones taking initiatives in their own interest.
Picture credit: ndlink.org
The Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, announced on Tuesday that he had discussed the deteriorating security situation in the State with the president who has ordered the deployment of an additional 6,000 troops to crush the bandits if they fail to surrender their arms within two months. This means the forthcoming battle will be between 30,000 well-armed bandits and 16,000 soldiers…
The numbers tell us that the Nigerian state is being overwhelmed by gun wielding terrorists, bandits and militants. On Wednesday, Kaduna State presented its 2020 security report. The numbers are frightening – 937 people were killed; 1,972 people kidnapped for ransom; and 7195 cattle rustled. That was just last year. The most affected area in the State was Birnin Gwari, the Emir of which described graphically the “normal” reality they live in – 200 to 300 heavily armed men will surround a village; kill, abduct, steal, and burn their food stores regularly. Rape and sexual violence have also reached industrial levels. The people are living in hell on earth. It is not surprising that so many people are abandoning their homes, farms and livelihoods and running to the cities to live precarious and miserable lives.