By OUR REPORTER
Although he is yet to name any of the sponsors of banditry terrorizing the North West state as promised, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has commended the Governor of Zamfara State, Hon Bello Matawalle, for exposing military and traditional elements found to be collaborating with bandits and giving them support.
The DEFENDER observes that the governor’s exposition of a military personnel and his girlfriend said to be supplying weapons and military uniforms to the criminal elements formed part of reason for the ACF’s commendation.
The apex Northern group also hailed the Governor Matawalle for removing the Emir of Maru, Abubakar Chika, and the District Head of Kanoma, Alhaji Lawal Ahmed, for allegedly giving support to bandits.
The Arewa Consultative Forum’s position was contained in a statement signed and made available to reporters by its spokesman, Mr. Emmanuel Yawe.
According to the group, “About a week ago, ACF issued a press release calling on Bello Matawalle to name the people collaborating with kidnappers and bandits in his state, saying he knew the collaborators and that Nigerians will be shocked to know them.
“The chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh then called on the governor to give the names and let the heavens fall,” it said, even as the governor was yet to name any sponsor although has been highly successful exposing collaborators.
But the ACF showing its satisfaction for steps taken so far said, “We are happy to note that the government of Zamfara has acted appropriately. A soldier and his girlfriend have been arrested in Zamfara for supplying arms and military uniforms to bandits.”
The DEFENDER had recently reported that the Governor’s deputy chief of staff representing him at a press conference, said the arrest of the soldier and his girlfriend followed community-based intelligence.
Speaking further, ACF said, “The emir and the district head have been on suspension since June last year and were under investigation which found them guilty of the complaints from their subjects.”
