Bandits are rulers, judges in Sokoto communities, LG chairman tells Defense Minister

By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

Bandits control much of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, appointing traditional rulers and settling disputes between communities.

The Chairman of Isa Local Government Area, Sharifu Kamarawa, made this known to the Minister of Defence, who visited the area on Thursday to review the performance of the troops.

He said: “Bandits have taken over parts of my local government area and are acting as traditional rulers and judges. Sir, they have become their own authority. They even mediate and settle disputes in communities.

“It is very painful, sir, that we have no control or authority over our people in that axis, including my village Kamarawa.

“Bello Turji, Dan Bokolo, Garso and many bandits move freely and exercise their power over our people without any challenge.

“Honourable Minister, sir, part of my council area has become a safe haven for bandits and other criminal gangs. Please come to our aid. We desperately need your support to free our people.

“Our communities are in shackles. They must be free; to feel like they are Nigerians.

“They tax and collect levies from the communities at will,” the council chairman said.

The affected communities

Parts of the Bandit-controlled areas in Sokoto include Gebe, Kamarawa Arume, Bafarawa and many other villages along the border with the Republic of Niger.

He added, “Sir, as you noticed on the way to Isa, only one village called Gundumi is still standing. All villages along the 120 kilometer road have been abandoned due to bandit activities.

“Sir, provide troops to liberate our people from the shackles of banditry which has deeply affected the lives and economy of our people who are farmers.

“Thousands of hectares of agricultural land cannot be estimated by our people. There will be a food crisis in my local council area unless the government takes urgent action.”

Below are photos of abandoned villages: