Zamfara Gov. Yari says bandits more equipped than Nigerian Army

chika ebuzor

March 19, 2019 8:51 PM

The Governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari has said that the bandits terrorising the state are more equipped than the Nigerian Army.

Zamfara state governor Abdulazizi Yari [TheNation]

Yari said this on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, after a meeting with President Buhari.

The Governor said at one time, it was discovered that the bandits had about 500 AK 47 assault rifles in their possession, Vanguard reports.

His words: “Well, I think it is not just state by state matter but a regional problem. Because, we are surrounded by forests. We have Kuyambana to Rugu down to Maradi Republic.

“The bandits are taking advantage of the fact that we are living like an Island because we are surrounded by forests from Sokoto we have Basuguma around, in Kaduna, Birnin Gwari, Niger, we have Kuyambana Dansado forest there, in Katsina, we have Rugu and at South East of Zamfara where we have Maradi, we have forest there.

“So as the governor of Katsina said, we have to collaborate. I know our security chiefs meet quarterly to review their performance, the gain and the loss, the same thing goes for our brothers in Maladi.

“I think the operations need to be carried out simultaneously because the issue is we are surrounded by a forest. The point is, when Katsina puts pressure on the bandits they will run into the forest in Zamfara, if Zamfara puts pressure on them, then they will move to Minna or Birnin Gwari. So this is the issue, so there is need for collaboration.

“So the soldiers need to be equipped with the equipment that can stand the test of time. Yesterday (Monday), when we were having our security meeting, we could understand the constraints of the security personnel that are on ground there.

“We are definitely going to collaborate, especially since I am running on the last lap of my full tenure, I will ensure that in these months that are left, we will leave behind a peaceful state for the new administration that is coming in.”

Yari also ruled out any possibility of holding talks with the bandits, saying: “During dry season they will look for dialogue because they know the security can gain access to anywhere in the forest and they have no place to hide. But when the rainy season comes and the forest becomes thicker, they will return to their normal practice.

“That is why I said there has to be show of force before anything else. I know that in any war, eventually you have to come to the table and dialogue but the situation we are right now sincerely speaking, dialogue is not needed at this point in time.”

Many lives have been lost in Zamfara as a result of several attacks by the bandits.

chika ebuzor