News Investigators/ A former governorship candidate in Zamfara Staye, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi has hailed the Defence Headquarters decision to investigate the sponsorship of banditry in the North West geopolitical zone.
In a statement by a group, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Mr. Shinkafi who was an ex-aide to the immediate past governor of the State, now minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, described the move as a welcome development.
Recall that the current governor, Dauda Lawal and Mr. Matawalle have been trading accusations over the sponsorship of the deadly bandit gangs in the State.
Mr. Shinkafi who is the Executive Director of the group said the move was long overdue in the quest for sustainable peace, security, and development in the region.
He noted that the spite of killings, kidnapping for ransom, destruction of property, imposition of levies and taxes, displacement of people from their communities by these criminal elements is alarming and calls for concerted military onslaught to crush them and restore national security.
“We align our position with the Defence Headquarters, the highest military command in Nigeria. Any person or group of persons found wanting in the course of the probe should face the full weight of the law no matter his status or position in the country,” Mr. Shinkafi stated.
According to him, “Some unscrupulous politicians have been using banditry as a campaign tool against their opponents for selfish political motives.
“The Defence Headquarters should also probe those playing politics with the lives and property of innocent people. Other public office holders equally use the security challenges as conduit pipes to divert and siphon public funds for personal enrichment.
“It is on record that the military has performed excellently since President Bola Tinubu while in China directed the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa to relocate to Sokoto 8 Division of Nigerian Army command and flush out banditry in the North West.
“That order has yielded positive results with the elimination of several notorious bandits leaders, including Kachalla Halilu Sububu, Jamilu Nazakiru, who terrorised Bungudu and Maru rural communities.
“Another military success was recorded in the Dansadua axis, where notorious bandit leaders Sani Black and Danbaleri Mashekari and groups were neutralised.
“In Katsina State, a bandit kingpin, Wala Baburki, who terrorised Batseri, Kankara, and Kankia rural communities, was neutralised along with his gang.
“In view of the highlighted, it is evident that the directive of Mr President that the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa should move to Sokoto to coordinate the fight against banditry has been fruitful, an eloquent testimony of synergy between the Ministry of Defence and security agencies in the quest for national security, peace, stability and prosperity.”l