SOKOTO — Incessant attacks by bandits in Sokoto State have forced over 50,000 residents of 17 communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area to relocate to Niger Republic.
Aminu Almustapha Boza, member representing Sabon Birni North constituency at the Sokoto State House of Assembly, who disclosed this said the villagers are currently taking refuge at Tudun Sunnah village, Gidan Runji Local Government in Maradi State of Niger Republic.
Boza alleged that several attempts were made to see Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal over their plight, but proved abortive.
“I have been trying to see the governor but he refused to grant me audience because he knows my reason for seeing him.”
“Our people are being killed every day. So far, we have counted over 50,000 of them taking refuge in Niger Republic. It took us two days to count them in the presence of the Governor of Maradi and chairman of Gidan Runji.
“I am regretting joining politics. I know the kind of support we gave the governor during his re-election because he promised us security, development, and others but look at it, my people are suffering and he cannot come or send a delegate or even relief materials to them.
“The last time he (Tambuwal) came to our area was after bandits massacred several people in Tarah area last year where he advised my constituents against taking arms to defend themselves,” he alleged.
Boza described the condition of the refugees as pathetic because they were staying in an open place with no toilets, food or drugs.
“They are living under the rain and sun, with nothing from the local and state governments. I bought some bags of garrin rogo, rice and mosquito nets with some drugs for them and I will buy more today. My fear is what will happen if there is any outbreak in the camp,” he said.
He noted that over 300 people lost their lives to banditry in Sabon Birni Local Government Area between 2020 and now.
“We have seen what Governor Zulum is doing in Borno State to bring peace to his people. Today, you will see him at the villa, tomorrow either with Chief of Army Staff or Chief of Air Staff or even at the refugee camp and his efforts are paying because Boko Haram members are voluntarily surrendering themselves to the Army.
“Another example is what his friend and our neighbour, the governor of Zamfara State, is doing to restore peace in the state.
“This is what we want to see from Governor Tambuwal – going to places where he knows we can get help, especially now that the Chief of Army Staff is from Sokoto. He should visit him and solicit for his support because there is no way the federal government can come in without the cooperation of the state government,” he said.
However, Governor Tambuwal denied shunning the lawmaker, saying he has been contacting him over the security situation in his constituency.
Tambuwal, speaking through his media aide recalled that he had facilitated a meeting between the Commissioner of Police, the Director DSS in the state and the lawmaker during which he was directed to contact any one of them in any distressed situation.
He added that the member was one of the two members invited for the last security meeting but only that of the Isa Constituency attended.
Tambuwal further explained that providing security is a prerogative of the president but despite that the state government would not shy away from its responsibility of ensuring the wellbeing and welfare of its people.
Tambuwal also said that he had called the lawmaker last Thursday before departing the state on an official trip.
The state Commissioner for Career and Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd), denied that the state government was not doing anything to ameliorate the plight of Sabon Birni residents.
He said that the government has continued to provide financial and logistic support to security agencies in the state.
“Unless there were adequate security operatives in the area and they were allowed to operate freely, the problem would continue to linger.”
“We learnt that the current General Officer Commanding 8 Division has directed his men not to respond to distress calls and not to operate at night. This directive must be withdrawn by the GOC,” Moyi said.
Moyi urged the people of Sabon Birni to stop going after bandits after an attack on their community to avoid ambush, but always report informants in their midst and to stop politicizing security issues.
The spokesman of the 8 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major Adamu Yahaya Ngulde, said the army always responds to distress calls as directed by GOC of the division.
“The GOC had directed the army to respond to any distress call and to ensure timely rescue of kidnapped victims but in doing so, they should be cautious of ambush.”
“In fact, the current Chief of Army Staff has injected more troops to deal with banditry in the region, just two weeks ago, the Garrison Commander led a clearance operation along that axis,” he said.
When contacted, the Chairman of Sabon Birni, Alhaji Umaru Danyaro Unguwan Lalle, said he would not grant any interview on the matter because they were still collating data of the affected communities.
“I don’t want to give wrong figures as other people used to do. I have to be sure of what I reveal to the press,” he said.
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