Zamfara Attacks: 3,000 Lives Lost, 2,000 Homes Destroyed

The Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Abdullahi Shinkafi, has disclosed that over 3,000 lives have been lost in the past few years in the ongoing banditry in the state.

Shinkafi made the disclosure yesterday in Gusau at a town hall meeting organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Shinkafi also said the state government has spent some N17 billion in the past seven years on fighting the problem.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the meeting was called to find a lasting solution to the worsening insecurity in the state.

According to Shinkafi, the banditry has resulted to the death of over 3,000 people, destruction of over 2,000 homes, burning of over 500 cars and kidnapping of over 500 people for ransom.

He said the money was spent from 2011 to date, to procure vehicles for security agencies, pay allowances to security operatives, and provide accommodation for soldiers of the 232 Battalion and other logistics.

“When you hear N17 billion, it sounds huge but when you break it down to the various components in tackling insecurity, you will see that it is not even enough.

“In 2011, we provided 457 vehicles for security agencies; in 2012, we provided 2,250 vehicles; in 2014, 77 vehicles and 50 vehicles each in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

“We also give funds to those affected by these attacks to help them in some way.”

According to Shinkafi, the state has been sitting on a time bomb for long, adding that there is need for citizens, the state and federal government to be more concerned and find ways to stop the bomb from exploding.

He recalled that the crisis which started as a minor clash between herders and farmers had been taken over by armed bandits, who had carried out about 40 attacks.

Calling on parents in the state to take proper care of their children, the SSG also implored men not to marry more than one wife if they did not have the resources to take care of their children.