Last week, the reported kidnapping of over 80 people, including children and women, in Zamfara State by bandits triggered public reactions in and outside the state about the unending activities of bandits, kidnappers, and rustlers in the country, mostly in the state. Our Northern Bureau Chief, MUHAMMAD SABIU examines the remote causes and issues involved in the abduction.
WANZAMAI village is one of the wards in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Last Thursday, the village came to the public’s attention as a result of the abduction of over 80 citizens of the area by bandits.
It was gathered that the victims, who were mostly children and women, went to fetch firewood on the outskirts of the village as it was the usual practice in the village.
However, investigations by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that it became a nightmare for the community as scores of the villagers were kidnapped and taken into the forest by the bandits.
Indeed, the abduction, which was first reported by the BBC Hausa service, drew public sympathy. A public affairs commentator who pleaded anonymity, remarked that the activities of bandits have been reduced to the barest minimum level in recent times. No thanks to the military onslaught carried out by the Army in most of the states affected by the activities of these hoodlums.
However, he contended that the recent abduction in Wamzamai and the number of those kidnapped was rather unfortunate, saying, “It brought all efforts by the people, government, and security to nought,” he said.
He added, “Before the recent abduction of the 80 people, we were all happy because for months there was peace. No abductions, no attacks,” he said.
“We were having relative peace. Even those at the IDP camps were happy and hopeful that very soon they will return to their respective villages.”
But the abduction of the children and women, as it was gathered, dashed the hopes of the citizens of the state, despite the presence of soldiers in the area.
According to a source, over the years, specifically two years ago, there was an effort to tame the bandits tormenting the communities while also restoring peace in the communities. Part of the strategy he revealed was the deployment of soldiers and the establishment of a military post.
Findings revealed that the soldiers have been working hand in glove with the civilian population and the vigilante members in the communities in order to ensure that peace prevails.
Recall, too, that the traditional institutions were not left out in the restoration of peace in the local government area. Last year, the Emir of Yandoto, Garba Marafa, gave the traditional title of Sarki Fulani to one of the bandits’ kingpins, Ada Alero. In conferring the title on him, he said the bandits have been at the forefront in the maintenance of peace.
Indeed, the above scenarios had helped in no small measure in the restoration of peace in the area until the recent clash between the military and the bandits. Though what led to the recent clash between the duo could not be ascertained as of the time of this report, the clash that led to the killing of two bandits is believed to have their colleagues bandits and led to the abduction of the people in Wamzamai village.
Speaking in an interview, a resident of the area, Abubakar Na’allah, alleged that the kidnapping of over 80 people was a reprisal by the bandits, whose people were killed in a military raid.
“There was an attack on the bandits’ camp by the military last Thursday, where some bandits were killed.
“The people of the village were told not to go to the forest last Friday because of the fear that the bandits might attack them, but unfortunately some women and children did not heed the warning”.
“They went to the forest to get firewood, not knowing that the bandits were hiding there, and they were all abducted”.
Na’allah explained that two of the kidnapped victims were able to escape, while one was killed by the bandits.
The following day, in a statement issued by the police, it said that contrary to the number of victims kidnapped, it contended that only nine people were abducted.
The commissioner of Police, Kolo Yusuf, while assuring the public, especially the families of the abducted victims, re-assured that the force will collaborate with other security agencies and the military to rescue the victims in captivity.
The police boss added, “Information received by the command from the village head of Wanzamai revealed that about nine women and children left their homes for the bush to fetch firewood.”
According to him, as they moved deep into the forest, they were abducted and taken to an unknown destination.
In a swift reaction, the figure released by the police was not accepted by the people of the area. For instance, the father of one of the abducted children, Abdullahi Zubair, maintained that many people were abducted, including children, women, and the elderly.
Also adding his voice, a community leader, Sanusi Muhammad, debunked the police figure, insisting that 86 people were kidnapped and one person killed.
Speaking in an interview, he said that after the incident, the whole community was in a pensive mood, declaring that many had deserted the village due to fear.
He added, “We try to find out who and who were kidnapped because this thing (abduction) happened on the outskirts of town when our children went to fetch firewood.
“However, after we carried out the head count, we discovered that 86 people could not be accounted for. We believe these are the numbers of those kidnapped.”
According to him, “We are still trying to find out whether there are more people or not.” But as of this afternoon (last Saturday), I can confirm to you that 86 people have been kidnapped.”
Bandits asked for N1.7m ransom
Two days later, it was reported that the kidnappers contacted the people and demanded N50 million to release the victims. However, after a series of negotiations,, the bandits slashed the ransom to N1.7 million, taking cognizance of the fact that the families cannot part with N50 million as earlier demanded.
Speaking on the ransom, Na’allah noted that, “after negotiations with them, they accepted to receive N20,000 on each of the victims, totalling N1.7 million on the 85 persons.
He told the Nigerian Tribune that the families of the victims are trying to sell their farms’ produce and other valuables to meet their demands.
“The families of the kidnapped victims are currently trying to pay the money. Many of them have started selling their belongings in order to raise the amount,” he said.
Bandits demand withdrawal of soldiers
But it was also gathered that the bandits have told the community that soldiers deployed to the area should be withdrawn without delay or they will continue to kidnap more people in the area.
The demands of the bandits might not go well with the people, as the presence of soldiers as well as the ongoing military operations in the state have been very successful in recent times. Findings indicate that many bandits have been killed. So, it will be difficult for the federal government to stop the operations.
Also, the state government is not keen to negotiate further with the bandits, as was the case when the present governor, Bello Matawalle, came on board. Findings show that the peace process has collapsed, and the state government has adopted a new approach to tackling the menace.
Commenting on the bandits’ demand, the Commissioner for Security Matters, DIG (retired) Mamman Tsafe, said the state government would not succumb to the pressure by the bandits to withdraw the military personnel deployed to Wanzamai village.
“We can’t be intimidated by the bandits into changing our security plans,” he said.
“We will not withdraw the military personnel attached to Wanzamai village no matter the pressure from the bandits”.
However, with a few days left until the present administration hands over to a new government, all eyes will be on the new helmsman to know whether he will continue from where this present administration stops or whether he will work a new approach.
Fresh demands
Apart from the N1.7 million, the bandits are also demanding an additional N850,000 to enable them to buy two motorcycles they alleged the army destroyed during the raid. Na’allah told the Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday that “the bandits have suddenly changed their minds and asked us to pay an additional N850.000”.
According to him, “The military personnel have destroyed two motorcycles belonging to bandits in the encounter, and as such, they (bandits) want the Wanzamai community to pay for the damaged motorcycles”.
He maintained that the people of the community have sourced the sum of N1.7 million as earlier demanded by the bandits and were about to go to the bandits’ camp and make the payment when they got the latest information of the additional amount of N850.000.
“We wanted to meet the deadline given to us by the bandits and pay the sum of N1.7 million as they earlier demanded, but with this sad development, we have to look for other ways to get the additional N850.000”.
Meanwhile, the people of the village staged a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday to register their annoyance with the alleged plan to transfer the leader of the military personnel deployed to Wanzamai to fight banditry.
