Bandits Have Displaced 700,000 Residents—Zamfara Govt

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Zamfara State Government said over 700,000 people are currently displaced from their homes due to banditry and are now taking refuge in various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state.

This alarm was raised by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Ibrahim Dosara, who noted that each of the 14 local government areas of the state currently has emergency relief desk officers shouldering the responsibilities of assisting the IDPs in their respective councils.

Mr Dosara further noted that the Humanitarian Ministry has established eight centres to take care of the hundreds of thousands that have been displaced so far.

He appreciated the untiring efforts of the ministry and other international donor agencies who have been complementing the efforts of the state government “through cash transfers to the IDPs ranging from N30,000 to N40,000 periodically to these victims”.

He also commended the Federal Government for committing huge sums in the same regard.

The Commissioner said the humanitarian agencies have embarked on training some of the victims, helping them acquire various skills including but not limited to tailoring, barbing, and pure water making.

They are also said to have provided tricycles popularly called Keke-NAPEP for some beneficiaries.

On his part, the Commissioner of Security and Homes Affairs, Mr Mamman Tsafe, while addressing the press said the state has recruited 4,200 Community Protection Guards (CPG).

According to Mr Tsafe, guards recruited comprised ex-servicemen, volunteer able-bodied men, and other patriotic citizens of the state willing to support security operatives to confront the bandits in their enclaves with a view to curtailing the menace.

The Commissioner, while assuring those present that the guards have been well trained on how to handle arms, said recruiting these individuals will provide the supported need to oust the bandits from the state.