A Special Adviser to the Minister of Police Affairs and former Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Sokoto State, Idris Gobir, says Fulani bandits were behind a series of killings and kidnappings in the council.
He stated this in an interview published by The Punch on Friday, a week after 74 persons were killed in bandit attacks across several villagers in the council.
Asked if he knew those behind the attacks, Gobir said, “Quote me anywhere, they are Fulani. I do not mean the legitimate herdsmen, who rear their animals, but the criminal elements among the Fulani. Everything about the bandits terrorising our areas is Fulani.
“You can easily deduce from their outward appearance, their accent; even when they negotiate for ransom, they speak the Fulfulde language. Worse of all, their operations know no brotherhood; they rob, kidnap, maim and kill their fellow Fulani whenever they strike. These bandits are no stranger to the people; the people know their exact locations.”
Explaining why it has been difficult for security agencies to end banditry in the state, Gobir stated, “They (bandits) operate in clusters and can easily disperse and regroup in the event of an onslaught against them. They are in Sabon Birni, Isa, Goronyo and Gada, just to mention a few local government areas of Sokoto State.
“Likewise, we are susceptible to attacks from those operating from Maradun, Shinkafi and Zurmi local government areas of Zamfara State. It is evidently clear that we need a highly coordinated and tactical security approach to tackle and win the war against the bandits.”