In a shocking revelation, Alhaji Sharifu Kamarawa, the Chairman of Isa Local Government Area (LGA) in Sokoto State, disclosed that bandits have taken over control of several villages in his jurisdiction. Speaking on Thursday, October 11, Kamarawa made this known while hosting Alhaji Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, during a visit to the local government secretariat.
Kamarawa explained that while the town of Isa remains peaceful, the eastern part of the LGA is firmly under the grip of bandits. The leader of the group, Kachalla Bello Turji, is notorious for his violent activities in the region. Turji’s gang not only terrorizes communities but has also gone as far as deciding who holds power in the villages. “Here in Isa town, we are living peacefully. The problem is in the eastern part of Isa, where there are places still under the control of bandits. They appoint and depose village heads there,” Kamarawa revealed.
This means that the authority of traditional rulers in these areas has been effectively undermined by the bandits, who impose their will on the local population.
To curb the escalating influence of the bandits, Kamarawa made an urgent plea for the reinstatement of a military camp in Kagara, which was previously moved. He emphasized the importance of having a military presence in the region, noting that the situation had been more stable when the camp was operational. “We are appealing for a military camp in Kagara to take care of those areas. We used to have a camp there before it was relocated. At that time, there was relative peace in those places. So, we want the camp back,” Kamarawa urged.
The presence of a military base, according to the chairman, had previously helped maintain peace and kept the bandits at bay. However, with the camp’s relocation, the security situation in the eastern part of Isa worsened, allowing the bandits to take full control.
The chairman also shed light on a positive development that has brought some relief to the affected communities. The death of Halilu Sububu, a notorious bandit leader, about a month ago, has contributed to a slight improvement in security. Kamarawa explained that the frequency of attacks has reduced since Sububu’s demise, and residents can now travel on some roads that were once dangerous.
“Since the death of Halilu Sububu, the attacks have dropped, and some roads that were previously unsafe are now usable,” he noted, though he stressed that the situation still requires immediate action.
In response to these concerns, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, assured the residents of Isa LGA that the federal government is committed to addressing the security challenges in the region. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu is particularly concerned about the insecurity in northern Nigeria, which is why key positions in defense have been given to northerners. This decision aims to bring a more focused and strategic approach to handling the ongoing banditry in the region.
“The President also directed me to ensure militarization of all the danger areas in the state. So, we are going to create a military base at Gundumi, which will be patrolling the Gundumi-Marnona road that has remained closed for years,” Matawalle announced.
The Gundumi-Marnona road has long been a hotspot for bandit activity, forcing it to close and leaving communities isolated. The establishment of a military base in the area is expected to help secure the region and reopen critical roads.
In addition to the new military base in Gundumi, Matawalle also pledged to deploy more security personnel to Isa LGA. He called on the local communities to support the efforts of the military by providing valuable information about the movement and activities of bandits. “Security is everyone’s business. We need your support because we need to know about the bandits’ movements,” he stressed.
The minister’s promise of increased military presence and collaboration with the local population is expected to strengthen the fight against banditry in Isa LGA.
The situation in Isa Local Government Area underscores the ongoing struggle against banditry in many parts of northern Nigeria. While some progress has been made, particularly with the death of key bandit leaders like Halilu Sububu, the fact that bandits still have control over villages and can dictate local governance is alarming.
Kamarawa’s call for the return of the Kagara military camp highlights the urgent need for sustained military presence to restore order in the affected communities. The government’s plans to establish new military bases and deploy more personnel offer hope that peace will return to Isa and other affected areas soon.
The fight against banditry, however, will require a collaborative effort between the military and local communities to ensure that the bandits’ influence is completely eradicated.
