Fear of Bandits’ Attacks As Army Quits Niger Communities

From Saka Bolaji, Minna
About 20 communities of Zazagi in Munya local government of Niger state have appealed to the federal government and the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) to retain the military’s ‘operation karamin Goro’ that has restored peace, stability and normalcy in the area.
A delegation of the communities led by the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, David Umaru, raised the alarm at a press briefing in Minna. However, they commended the good and cordial military/civilian relationship exhibited as a sign of modern military.
Senator Umaru maintained that the withdrawal of the military could lead to possible attack if the communities are left on their own after enjoying relative peace from the kidnapping, rubbery and farmers/ herdsmen clashes experienced in the past before the intervention of the military.
He decried the planned evacuation of the military from the area slated for today Thursday April 5, 2018 and lamented that their evacuation could lead to subsequent attack on the community by bandits, which would disrupt farmers’ preparation for this year’s farming season.
In his remarks, a community leader, Ibrahim Abdul- Aziz, who also lamented the spate of insecurity experienced in the past couple with the payment of ransoms to bandits, applauded the relevant authorities for their intervention. He urged the government not to withdraw the military from the area because this would affect farming activities for the season.
The Youth leader of the community, Usman Idris, said that the criminals have caused a lot of havoc in the area before the coming of the military who had continued to make arrest of criminals till date.
Idris disclosed that there was rising tension in the area sequel to the plan to withdraw the military from the community due to the fear of the bandits’ return especially at Zazagi.
It was gathered that no fewer than 40 persons have been killed so far and over 70 communities affected in Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Gurara, Rafi and Bosso local governments. The military operations started on December 14, 2017.
When contacted the Special Adviser (SA) on Security matters to the Governor, Mohammed Maikudi said the state government was aware of the withdrawal of the military but already it’s set to dispatch combine team of security taskforce to the area to sustain the tempo, while advising the people to be calm and go about their businesses.