TheCitizen - It's all about you
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
TheCitizen - It's all about you
No Result
View All Result

Bandit next door – The Nation

The Citizen by The Citizen
September 20, 2020
in Public Affairs
A A
0
Bandits kill police inspector, abduct village head in Kaduna
22
SHARES
734
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Katsina State cannot wipe out bandits by making them neighbours

It is not good news that the Katsina State government has decided that surrender is a preferred option to confrontation. With bandits, that is. That essentially is the path the state government sees open to it as the depredations of the warlords and their hirelings have prostrated the cities and villages in the past few years.

The level of surrender would have been comical if it was not a portent of bad things. The government says it will exchange arms and penitence of the bandits for markets stalls, homes and farms. So if anyone who calls himself a bandit says he has surrendered and given up arms, they will be given stalls in the market, homes in town and villages and farms for them to grow crops and vegetables and whatever other delights their agricultural fancies. Some of them can be herders. All at taxpayer’s expense.

For example, they have cited the case of one fellow named Sada who has  reportedly given up his freedom in the wilds and turned himself in to troops at the Forward Operations Base at Dansadau. The reports also had it that he gave up three AK-47 rifles, one sub-machine gun and two magazines. This seems teasing.

The secretary to the government, Mustapha Inuwa, disclosed this policy as though it was irreversible and gave the impression that it was well-thought-out.

He said, ’’We have completed plans for those who accept to leave to an approved settlement near Rugu Forest. This is part of a design by government to clear the forests from being inhabited by bandits. The committee is set to work on the needed infrastructure any time from now.

“Some the settlement areas being considered include, Yantumaki-Maidabino forest area and Sabwa/Faskari forests.”

This is the Katsina State where bandits have run wild and riot and made away with goods that belonged to people who worked hard. This is the Katsina State where women and children are spirited away with proprietary hubris and impunity, and no one has been recovered and the families have suffered in helpless horror the loss of their loved ones. One of the stories that jar the memory is that of Khadijia Kurfi, an eleven-year-old girl, who was picked up and carted away. No one has gone after Miss Kurfi, no government assurance has come as to any form of determination to redeem its people lost in the arms of the militants.

It in this context that the state government has decided that it is going to pay its impotence with surrender. It will now belong to the inhabitants to wake up when the cock crows with neighbours who once sometimes preceded the morning choir of the domestic birds with the screech of gunfire and razed the homes where they had their sleep.

The same people who came to steal their cassava, corns and yams will now sell the crops and other valuables they stole away. The same men who raped girls in farms and took away their produce will till the soil beside and stalk their farms with cattle.

That is the cruel fantasy that is coming as solution in a state where the government still sheds tears over lack of adequate policemen. The state government is taking shelter in the presidential call for a new strategy in tackling banditry in the country.

Hear Inuwa again: “The recent presidential directive on change of strategy, renewed vigor and increased personnel in the military campaign against security challenges in the North-West and  Katsina State in particular had led to a reduction in the atrocities of bandits.

“The incidence of armed banditry and kidnapping and other forms of criminalities for ransom have significantly subsided compared to few months back when these incidences were a daily occurrence.”

Apart from the palpable contradiction of hailing the incidence of criminality and yielding to them by appeasement, the call for a new strategy does not justify accommodation. The federal government actually gave the green light to this policy of genuflection to terror. The federal government has begun its own version by starting a programme of retraining the hoodlums on the mores of civilized societies.

This is a failure of imagination and an open sesame for Hobbesian anarchy. It is really sad that in a period where we have seen so much violence and so much impunity, we have shown that the billions of Naira spent in the past few years on security have amounted to a squandering of not only personal brain power but hard-earned foreign exchange.

The fundamental failure here has been in the area of intelligence. Whether it is Zamfara where gold hunt has turned into a wild adventure, or in Borno where the governor has had to weep and even chide the military brass, what we are witnessing is the inability of our intelligence establishment to come to terms with their challenges.

Whereas Inuwa can talk about the efforts of the government to provide relief, it only emphasises a wrong scale of preference. For instance, he said that the state had so far propped up security agencies with N4.274b for the purpose of resettlement centres near Rugu, Yantumaki, Maidabino and Sabwa/Faskari forests for the penitent bandits.

According to him, the plan is afoot for major infrastructure help in the resettlement and it would cover schools, healthcare centres, markets and farmlands for cattle rearing as well as farming.

He explained that the N4.274b financial support to security outfits was used for the provision of infrastructure, logistics and payment of allowances of security personnel. If such amount of money fails, it shows our problem is not about voting money but managing the situation with vision and strategy.

It can only get worse in Katsina and other parts of the country until we rejig our approach. Surrender and appeasement will only make us fear.

Share9Tweet6Share2
Previous Post

Securing the nation’s capital – Thisday

Next Post

FRSC should tame VIP convoys’ recklessness – Punch

Related Posts

AMCON denies bid to seize Dangote refinery over debts
Public Affairs

Refineries’ privatisation solution to current mess – Punch

January 27, 2023
Gunmen shoot traveller dead, burn vehicle in Enugu
Public Affairs

Targeted killing of clerics condemnable – Punch

January 26, 2023
I’m focused on my job, it’s God that anoints leaders – Emefiele
Public Affairs

Uncertainty over Emefiele bad for economy – Punch

January 25, 2023
Nigeria at critical juncture – Vanguard
Public Affairs

Nigeria at critical juncture – Vanguard

January 23, 2023
Nigerians tell Buhari to take medical leave as public no-shows mount
Latest News

SERAP to Buhari: Reverse unlawful electricity tariff hike now

January 8, 2023
National Assembly considers life pension for presiding officers
Public Affairs

National Assembly, stop approving Buhari’s loans – Punch

December 28, 2022
Next Post
FRSC sacks 18 officers, demotes others for bribery, other offences

FRSC should tame VIP convoys’ recklessness - Punch

Trump bid to replace Ginsburg sparks fierce political fight

Trump bid to replace Ginsburg sparks fierce political fight

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ODDITIES

Nigerian kills compatriot in South Africa

Hoodlum stabs funeral guest for dating ex-wife

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

Why I married my daughter’s boyfriend – Kano woman

Why I married my daughter’s boyfriend – Kano woman

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

Family rejects old naira notes as bride price in Niger State

Family rejects old naira notes as bride price in Niger State

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

State of the States

Gov. Makinde signs €50m MoU with France for healthcare, education

Gov. Makinde signs €50m MoU with France for healthcare, education

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

...

Kwara governor signs 2023 budget

Kwara governor signs 2023 budget

by admin
January 26, 2023
0

...

2023: Sanwo-Olu picks APC N50m governorship forms

Sanwo-Olu appoints two new perm secs

by admin
January 26, 2023
0

...

Sanwo-Olu doubles Lagos students’ bursary

Sanwo-Olu approves new vehicles for state directors

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

...

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

August 3, 2022
Military will not rest until Book Haram is annihilated, says Army Chief

Shake-up in army

January 8, 2023
May Edochie finally speaks about husband’s second wife

I will not be cajoled into accepting polygamy, says May Edochie

December 24, 2022
Why I didn’t remarry — Patience Ozokwo

Why I didn’t remarry — Patience Ozokwo

January 20, 2023

Air Peace begins operations, offers airfare to Armed Forces personnel

170

Diezani breaks silence, reveals side of story in 3-part exclusive interview

26

FG’s N4trn contractual debts under Jonathan – National Mirror

21

2015: Washington Post condemns Jonathan for campaign slogan

20
Massive job cut looms as dollar hits N590

CBN stops dollar charges on domestic card transactions

January 27, 2023
Mafab launches 5G network

Mafab launches 5G network

January 27, 2023
Peter Obi vows Bauchi oil for northern devt

Peter Obi vows Bauchi oil for northern devt

January 27, 2023
FG renames NIMET institute after Pres. Buhari

FG renames NIMET institute after Pres. Buhari

January 27, 2023

GLOBAL NEWS

Mediterranean ships recover 5 bodies, rescue over 1,100 refugees

EU plans to deport more migrants to home countries

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

...

UK moves to cut foreign students’ stay after graduation

UK moves to cut foreign students’ stay after graduation

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

...

Five US police officers face murder charges after traffic stop death

Five US police officers face murder charges after traffic stop death

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

...

Boeing in court on fraud charge over 737 Max crashes

Boeing in court on fraud charge over 737 Max crashes

by admin
January 26, 2023
0

...

EU-MCN builds conflict resolution network to foster peace in North-East

EU-MCN builds conflict resolution network to foster peace in North-East

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

...

EDITORIAL REVIEW

AMCON denies bid to seize Dangote refinery over debts

Refineries’ privatisation solution to current mess – Punch

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

Gunmen shoot traveller dead, burn vehicle in Enugu

Targeted killing of clerics condemnable – Punch

by admin
January 26, 2023
0

I’m focused on my job, it’s God that anoints leaders – Emefiele

Uncertainty over Emefiele bad for economy – Punch

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

Nigeria at critical juncture – Vanguard

Nigeria at critical juncture – Vanguard

by admin
January 23, 2023
0

Nigerians tell Buhari to take medical leave as public no-shows mount

SERAP to Buhari: Reverse unlawful electricity tariff hike now

by admin
January 8, 2023
0

Opinion

Understanding the Sheriff Oborevwori brand

Understanding the Sheriff Oborevwori brand

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

...

Gunmen attack FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Kogi

VIP protection: Advocating for mandatory bullet-proof vehicle for armed police escort

by admin
January 24, 2023
0

...

20 Years after, Alumni, community rally support for AUN Schools’ Improvement Project

20 Years after, Alumni, community rally support for AUN Schools’ Improvement Project

by admin
January 20, 2023
0

...

Okolieaboh: The Quiet Reformer at Treasury House

Okolieaboh: The Quiet Reformer at Treasury House

by admin
January 19, 2023
0

...

  • UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

    UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

    111 shares
    Share 44 Tweet 28
  • Shake-up in army

    59 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15
  • I will not be cajoled into accepting polygamy, says May Edochie

    51 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 13
  • Why I didn’t remarry — Patience Ozokwo

    47 shares
    Share 19 Tweet 12
  • NNPC slashes petrol price for marketers to ease scarcity

    40 shares
    Share 16 Tweet 10
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2022 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2022 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.