Why we attack, kidnap people – Repentant Fulani bandits – TheNigerialawyer

Some repentant bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara
State, on Monday, explained why they took up arms against the
people of the area.

The ex-bandits said at a peace meeting in Tsafe that they were
harassed and intimidated by the police and vigilantes, locally
known as ”Yan Sakai, into becoming bandits and kidnappers.

During the meeting held at the palace of the Emir of Tsafe,
Alhaji Muhammadu Bawa, one of the bandits’ commanders, Hassan
Dantawaye, said they were unjustly treated by the government and
society.

“We were forced into this because apart from cattle rustling
incidents we faced some years back, we also faced serious
harassment and intimidation from security personnel and
”Yansakai.

“We cannot go to markets, our children cannot go to school,
whenever they see our children or wives in town they killed
them.

“If security personnel arrest us, we have to spend a lot of
money before we are released, sometimes security agencies launch
attacks on our homes and kill us without any offence.

“With this ugly trend, we have no option than to embark on
kidnapping, attacks, and other crimes,” Dantawaye said.

Alhaji Madele, a Fulani leader, however, thanked the state
government for the dialogue and urged the security agencies to
protect them from ”Yansakai and some security personnel who attack
them unjustly in markets and towns.

Madele said, “we have agreed to embrace peace and dialogue, we
commend the commissioner of police for inviting us for this
meeting”.

The repentant bandits’ commanders also promised to release all
captives in their custody.

Nobody will be attacked anymore, they pledged, adding that
farmers in the area were free to go to their farms without any
fear.

The Chairman of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the
area, Alhaji Yahaya Ahmad, assured everyone of total support to the
peace initiative.

“As from today, no vigilante group or CJTF member would attack
any Fulani herder, we will abide by the state government’s
directive in this regard.

“Fulani herders are now free to come to Tsafe town and all major
towns in this area. They can go to markets and anywhere else they
so wish.

“I am giving them the assurance that our members would not
attack them anymore,” he said.

The state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Usman Nagoggo, who
chaired the meeting, described the security situation faced by the
state in the past as unfortunate.

Nagoggo said, “I remember the day I arrived this state as
commissioner of police, over 30 persons were killed in Shinkafi
local government area.

“After identifying the measures to tackle the problem, the state
government came up with the peace and dialogue initiative with the
warring parties as part of measures to provide a lasting solution
to the problem.

“We embarked on consultation with Fulani leaders, Civilian JTF,
and Vigilante Groups which led to the successes we are recording
today.

“From the inception of this dialogue to date we have rescued
over 300 kidnapped victims from the bandits without payment of
ransom,” he said.

He added: “As I always say, most of the extrajudicial killings
and illegal attacks on communities were as a result of the actions
of the outlawed vigilante group of “Yansakai, who were taking the
law into their hands.

“Our aim is to have sustainable peace and development in the
state, therefore, all stakeholders should cooperate with us in this
task.

“I am also reissuing this warning that all activities of
“Yansakai are suspended and nobody should take the law into their
hands.

“Anybody found violating these directives would face the full
wrath of the law”, the Police boss added.

The Emir of Tsafe, Alhaji Muhammadu Bawa thanked the warring
parties for attending the meeting and accepting peace.

Bawa said the emirate would continue to support the state
government to ensure that the dialogue succeeds.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state
governor, Alhaji Bello Matawalle initated the peace dialogue as
part of measures to end banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in
the state.

The meeting in Tsafe was attended by repentant bandits’
commanders, members of the CJTF, officials of Miyetti Allah Cattle
Breeders Association and members of the outlawed ”Yansakai local
vigilantes.

(NAN)

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