Crime & SecurityNorthwest On Verge of a Catastrophic Social Eruption – Matawalle

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KADUNA — Zamfara state governor, Bello Matawalle has called on Northern states governors to adopt workable solutions and ensure that there is an increased effort in the fight against insecurity.

Matawalle blamed the governors for the worsening security situation in the north, noting that the lack of cooperation among them is an underlying factor.

The governor said this on Sunday while speaking at the annual lecture of the Arewa Media Writers Association in Kaduna.

Matawalle was represented by his commissioner for information, Ibrahim Dosara at the lecture.

He stated that the worsening security crisis in the northwest is capable of ruining the region.

“Unless we all wake up to the situation, the war against banditry in the north-west will remain a challenge that has the potential to swallow the region and the country at large. We need to get to the roots of the situation and stop politicising it

“Unless we all wake up to the situation, the war against banditry in the north-west will remain a significant security challenge that has the potential to swallow the region and the country. The destruction that banditry is wreaking on the region’s people and economy is unfathomable.

“When I took over office on May 29th, 2019, Zamfara state had already been mired in a serious security crisis for over a decade, marked by banditry, livestock rustling, kidnapping, and a host of other crimes.

“On almost daily basis, the state was in the news for bloodletting, fire, pillage, and significant displacement of people, particularly those living in rural areas,” he said.

Matawalle admitted that the crisis has been worsened by poverty and food insecurity.

According to him, this is as a result of the declining morals and culture among the northerners.

“The historical, economic, social, and cultural ties between the dominant communities of Fulani and Hausa were ruptured; farming activities across the state were halted, and commercial activities were crippled.

“With poverty on the increase and food security seriously affected by the crisis, the state was on the verge of a catastrophic social eruption capable of destabilizing our communities and the northwest sub-region.

“Rural banditry in Zamfara and other parts of the north, in my opinion, is a result of the progressive degradation of our moral standards and a culture of greed fed by an unfettered need for material goods.

“It is evident, therefore, that we, the leaders, are responsible for the plight of the north. The north lacks responsible leadership to steer it through our time’s uncharted waters.

“Reluctance by the affected states to embrace peace dialogue, which would have deprived the recalcitrant bandits currently tormenting our people of safe corridors in the region.”

He also said that the ruling elites have no progressive vision for the region aside from gaining political power unlike what is seen in the south-east and south-west region where governors respond in unison to all matters concerning their regions’ development.

Beloved John (Staff Writer)

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