Sokoto: Bandits now appoint, depose village heads in my LG, council chairman cries out

TRIBUNE

THE chairman of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Sharifu Kamarawa, has disclosed that bandits take liberty to appoint and depose village heads in some communities within the council area.

Kamarawa made the revelation when the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, visited some communities in eastern Isa, Sabon Birni and Goronyo local government areas of the state.

He said the bandits led by Kachalla Bello Turji appoint and depose village heads at will in those areas.

“The problem is in the eastern part of Isa. There are places that are still under the control of bandits. They appoint and depose village heads there.

“We are appealing for a military camp in Kagara to take care of those areas. We used to have a camp there before it was relocated. There was relative peace in those places then. So, we want the camp back,” he said

The chairman admitted that since bandit kingpin, Halilu Sububu, was killed about a month ago, there had been significant reduction in attacks on their communities.

He said the people could now use some roads which were formerly deserted.

However, a certain Galadima who is the head of a village called Duroh, which is located between Sabon-Birni and Isa local government areas, in an interview with newsmen, said he was the only person who remained in the area.

Galadima explained that all the other villagers left for fear of being attacked or killed by bandits.

“I am the village head of this community. Even though I also don’t sleep here, I am the only one coming to this place on a daily basis; very other person has relocated to other places like Sabon Birni.

“Nobody can stay here, especially in the night, for fear of attack. I only come here during the day to farm and before dawn, I move to the next village where I sleep.

“Our people are ready to return home if the government can help us to provide security. I will ensure my people come back to continue our daily activities,” he said.

Nut in Choi Mahe, another community between Sabon Birni and Goronyo local government areas, one of the residents, Jamilu Sanusi, who spoke with Saturday Tribune’s correspondent, said the community had not witnessed any form of attack in the last two months.

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