Zamfara Governor, Abdulaziz Yari says at least 10,000 bandits and cattle rustlers were operating from eight major camps in the state.
He further disclosed that there were 32 other smaller camps from which an undisclosed number of bandits were operating.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Muhammad Shinkafi, revealed this at a two-day federal and state security administrators’ meeting in the state capital, Gusau on Thursday.
He said that bandits had prevented residents from accessing 715 healthcare facilities and 570 primary schools built in the state by his administration.
“Armed banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping have been plaguing our communities for the past 10 years. The armed men now issue notice ahead of attacks unlike before when they would strike strategically. About 4000 were killed, 100,000 people had been displaced, 8,000 women widowed and 16,000 children orphaned in the wake of the deadly assaults on the rural communities of the state, the effect of which is still being felt everywhere in the state,” he said.
Read Also: Buhari reveals most efficient weapon against Boko Haram