Rising banditry in Dansadau Emirate of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State is hindering farming activities in many villages, DAILY NIGERIAN reports.
Some of the affected communities are Ruwantofa, Yansawayu, Malele, Maigoge, Zama Lafiya and Mai Awaki.
Locals in the affected communities attributed the incident to extortion, illegal tax imposition and alleged compromise by a traditional ruler.
He said despite several purported dialogues and levies paid to the bandits through the emir, these communities are largely unsafe for farming activities.
A resident of Malale community, Hussaini Maidawara, said the community was attacked twice last week, which led to the killing and abduction of some residents.
“On Friday, some members of community were kidnapped along the Mallele-Dansadau road.
“They blocked the road for four hours and carried out operations unhindered. We called the military base in Dansadau, and there was no response.
“Also on Tuesday, they raided the Malele community around 10:00 p.m., killed three people and injured many, who are currently admitted in hospital.
“And what I think is responsible for these persistent attacks is the charade called dialogue. Oftentimes, the traditional ruler will bring us together and assure us that an agreement has been reached with the bandits. But another attack will occur shortly afterwards,” Mr Maidawara said.
Corroborating the claim, another resident, Maijamaa Dansadau, said the community has vowed not to engage in any dialogue with either the bandits or Mr Mohammed.
“We are tired of any dialogue that would be facilitated by the traditional ruler. He has betrayed us, and we have zero confidence in him.
“We have chosen to put our destiny in our own hands because he has failed us. Our resolution is that either they [bandits] kill us or we kill them. We are tired and frustrated.
“When they imposed taxes, some of the adjoining communities complied. But we stood our ground and said that we were not going to pay a dime anymore. And our reason is that these people have betrayed us, and they can’t be trusted. We have entered into several dialogues with them, and they have reneged.
“We can’t go to the farm, nor can we sleep in our homes anymore. We are appealing to the government to please come to our rescue,” he pleaded.
Mr Maidawara also noted that the communities that agreed to the truce are subjected to slavery by the terrorists.
According to him, the communities that reached peace deal with the terrorists are Mai Tukunya, Babbar Doka, Dangurgu, Dandalla, Madad, Tudun Gabas, Gobirawar Kwacha and Mutunji.
“These bandits have taken over their farmlands. And they will recruit the villagers as their labourers. They go to farm and work from morning till night without food.
“Sometimes while they are on the farm working, these terrorists will go into the villages and rape their wives and children. And that is why we said no.
Another credible source who pleaded anonymity also accused the traditional ruler of taking advantage of the vulnerability of his subjects to extort them.
He said the traditional ruler regularly imposed levies on farmers and traders with the assurance of providing military escorts to Gusau, where some of the farm produce is sold.
“He takes advantage of his subjects to extort them. It is very unfortunate that a traditional ruler whose subjects suffer untold hardship would do this. In June, he collected about N1.4 million from some farmers and drivers who planned to travel to Gusau from Dansadau. He said the money would be given to the army to provide military escort. But that never happened. Until the people became frustrated and agitated, he then used his convoy, which has a military van, to accompany them to Gusau. And there are other instances like that,” the source alleged.
When contacted, the emir of Dansadau, Garba Mohammed, denied the allegations.
He, however, admitted engaging in dialogue with the bandits during the previous administration.
“All these allegations are blatant lies. Yes, we engage in dialogue with bandits in the past, because it was part of the policy of Governor Bello Matawalle’s administration. But the current administration has warned us against doing such. Who am I to disregard the government’s directives?
“And those who claimed that I collected money, I challenge them to come forward with their evidence, and tell you who they paid the money to. I have been funding activities aimed at bringing peace to Dansadau with my personal money. So how would I stoop so low and extort my subjects?
“And on the issue of military escort. Yes, before now, whenever I wanted to travel out of Dansadau, I used to get military escort to and fro. So most people usually join my convoy. But due to the weight of the allegations, the military felt embarrassed and stopped providing such cover” Mr Mohammed added.
Attempts to get reaction from the state government proved abortive as the senior special assistant to the governor on media and public affairs, Suleiman Idris failed to respond to our reporter’s calls.
