Air strikes kill innocent locals, not bandits – Zamfara traditional rulers

Military air strikes kill only innocent civilians in affected
local government areas and five communities and not bandits,
Zamfara state council of traditional rulers has alleged.

The traditional rulers, who spoke through Emir of Bungudu,
Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, told reporters that the air strikes have
not been effective in uprooting bandits.

Reports from the four local governments of Zurmi, Tsafe, Gusau
and Anka indicate about five communities where the air strikes were
carried out did not hit hideouts of bandits, according to the
traditional rulers.

Rather, they said innocent civilians were victims of the
strikes.

The council of chiefs also faulted Defence Minister Lt. Gen.
Mansur Dan Ali who alleged some traditional rulers were supporting
banditry.

The Emir expressed dismay over the allegation and called on the
minister to “as a matter of responsibility and urgency name those
traditional rulers involve in such reprehensive activities for
government to take appropriate measures against them.”

Failure to disclose the traditional rulers involved, according
to Attahiru, will render the minister’s statement false as just an
attempt to tarnish the image of the traditional institution.

The traditional rulers further noted with grave concerns the
deteriorating security problems in Zamfara state, commending
efforts of the stare and the federal governments in addressing the
challenge.

Declaring support for the efforts, the ruler said: “Over the
past years, traditional rulers have cooperated with government and
security agencies by providing information about locations, routes
and names of persons engage in such criminal activities,
unfortunately the military and other security agencies have failed
to be on top of situation.”

The council of traditional rulers called on the federal
government to assist the state, especially rural dweller, which it
said are badly affected by the insecurity challenge.