Banditry: Mr. President, only action — not ‘condemnation’ — an save Shiroro residents

By ABDALLAH EL-KUREBE

Mr. President, the persistent banditry in Shiroro local government area of Niger state, has become a recurring nightmare, claiming countless lives and displacing many more to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, even without care. The violent attacks, which have turned entire communities into ghost towns, demand more than the customary statements of ‘condemnation’ that have become a staple of presidential responses. Don’t forget, these are lives of people you swore to protect.

Mr President, your predecessor and former President Muhammadu Buhari often issued statements condemning the heinous acts perpetrated by these bandits. Now, as against your Renewed Hope Agenda, which should enliven the hopes of these, hitherto, hungry farmers, you have followed suit, issuing similar condemnations whenever new reports of violence emerge. Yet, these verbal condemnations, no matter how strongly worded, have done little to stem the tide of bloodshed in Shiroro and other affected regions. The cycle of violence continues unabated, leaving behind a trail of destruction, grief, and loss.

Shiroro, once a peaceful community, has become emblematic of the broader security challenges plaguing Nigeria. Its residents, caught in the crossfire, have lost faith in the power of words to protect them. They need action—swift, decisive, and sustained.

Chronicle of attacks on Shiroro communities

– January 2023: Armed bandits attacked several communities in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA), including Kwaki and Barden Dawaki. Dozens of villagers were killed, and many more were displaced, with reports of extensive looting and destruction of properties.

– April 2023: In one of the deadliest attacks, bandits stormed Allawa and neighbouring communities, killing at least 20 people. The attackers burned down homes and granaries, forcing hundreds to flee. The incident also led to the withdrawal of soldiers stationed in the area, further exacerbating the security situation.

– July 2023: Terrorists targeted the villages of Kurebe and Kwaki, killing eight people and abducting several others. The attackers were heavily armed and moved in large numbers, overwhelming local vigilantes and security forces.

– October 2023: A large-scale raid on Gurmana community resulted in the death of 15 villagers. The bandits also kidnapped over 30 women and children, demanding a huge ransom for their release. The attackers continued to terrorize surrounding communities for weeks, making it difficult for residents to carry out their daily activities.

– February 2024: In a particularly brutal attack, bandits kidnapped 26 women from Allawa community. The incident led to widespread fear and panic among the residents, with many fleeing their homes. The kidnappers later demanded five motorcycles for each of the women as ransom.

– April 2024: Following the withdrawal of soldiers from Allawa, bandits launched multiple attacks on the community and its environs. The attackers killed eight men on the Allawa-Pandogari road before abducting the 26 women. This attack marked a significant escalation in violence in the area, with the terrorists demanding increasingly exorbitant ransoms.

– May 2024: The terrorists sent a video to the families of the kidnapped women, showing two of the captives pleading for their release. The video also revealed that the families had provided six motorcycles, but the kidnappers were demanding four more before they would release the women.

– July 2024: A wave of attacks swept through several communities in Shiroro LGA, including Magami and Zumba. The bandits killed at least 12 people and abducted dozens, including women and children. The attackers destroyed properties, and looted food supplies, and livestock, leaving the communities in ruins.

– August 2024: Just on Thursday, this week, the bandits again attacked the Allawa village and killed nine people, while kidnapping several others. On Friday, the situation in Shiroro reached a critical point with the release of a video by the terrorists, reiterating their demand for 130 motorcycles as ransom for the 26 kidnapped women. The community’s inability to meet the demands led to prolonged captivity, heightening tensions and fear among the residents.

The displaced people from these communities are dumped in IDPs camps without provision for food, medicaments and other necessary human needs. The number to the camps increase after each attack. They have been forced to leave their farms, a situation that has resulted in food insecurity.

Mr President, the people of Shiroro are not just numbers in a casualty report; they are fathers, mothers, children, and elders whose lives have been shattered by the relentless onslaught of banditry. They do not need to hear more statements of condemnation from Abuja; they need to see tangible efforts to reclaim their security and restore their communities.

President Tinubu must recognize that the time for mere words has long passed. The reality on the ground requires a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond military action alone. While deploying troops is an essential component of the response, it must be complemented by effective governance, intelligence gathering, and community engagement. The government must work closely with local leaders, vigilante groups, and civil society organizations to develop a multi-pronged approach that addresses the root causes of banditry, such as poverty, unemployment, and the proliferation of arms.

Furthermore, the federal government must prioritize the rebuilding of Shiroro and other affected communities. This involves not only physical reconstruction but also the restoration of public services, schools, and healthcare facilities that have been decimated by the violence. The government must also provide psychological support to those who have been traumatized by these attacks, especially children who have witnessed and survived the horrors of banditry.

The security forces must be equipped with the necessary resources, training, and intelligence to effectively combat the bandits. This includes modern surveillance technology, adequate funding, and a robust logistical framework to support their operations. Moreover, there must be accountability within the security apparatus to ensure that those responsible for protecting these communities are doing their job effectively.

President Tinubu has the opportunity to break from the past and set a new standard in addressing the insecurity that has plagued Nigeria for far too long. Shiroro and its people cannot afford to wait any longer. The president’s actions—or lack thereof—will determine whether he is remembered as a leader who genuinely cared for the lives of his citizens or as one who, like his predecessor, relied on rhetoric without results.

The people of Shiroro are calling out for more than just words. They are calling for their right to live without fear, to sleep without the sound of gunfire, and to raise their children in a community free from terror. It is time for President Tinubu to answer that call with decisive, sustained action that will finally put an end to the violence and restore peace to Shiroro and beyond.

Abdallah el-Kurebe is the CEO/Editor-in-Chief at ASHENEWS