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The Banditry Menace in the North West: Challenges, Kingpins, and the Way Forward
The Banditry Menace in the North West: Challenges, Kingpins, and the Way Forward
By: Zagazola Makama
Banditry has become a persistent and deadly problem in the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria. Unlike the insurgency in the North East, where Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) operate based on an ideological drive, the violence in the North West is mainly criminal in nature. This criminality, often referred to as “BARAYIN JEJI” (forest bandits), has terrorized local communities through raids, cattle rustling, kidnappings for ransom, killings, and the imposition of illegal levies on farming communities.
Despite ongoing military operations by the Nigerian Security Forces, bandits continue to engage in these sinister activities, creating a seemingly unending cycle of violence and terror in the region. Military campaigns, including Operation Hadarin Daji and other special operations led by the Defence Headquarters’ Joint Task Force (JTF) and ad-hoc military formations such as the 1st, 3rd, and 8th Divisions, have made significant progress. Hundreds of bandits, including top kingpins, have been neutralized in the past year. Yet, banditry continues to plague the region, as new criminal leaders quickly rise to replace those who are taken down.
Notable Kingpins Neutralized
In the last twelve months, the Nigerian military, in collaboration with local militias and security forces, has killed several high-profile bandit leaders, including Kachalla Ali Kawaje, the mastermind behind the abduction of students from Federal University Gusau.
Others include; Kachalla Jafaru, Kachalla Barume, Kachalla Shehu, Tsoho, Kachalla Yellow Mai Buhu, Yellow Sirajo, Kachalla Dan Muhammadu, Kachalla Makasko, Sanda, Abdulbasiru Ibrahim, Mai Wagumbe, Kachalla Begu, Kwalfa, Ma’aikaci, Yellow Hassan, Umaru Na Bugala, Isyaka Gwarnon Daji, Iliya Babban Kashi, Auta Dan Mai Jan Ido, and Yahaya Dan Shama.
Those that were recently nutrialised include; Kacalla Ɗan Baleri, Kacalla Dogo Kwaɗɗi, Lawalli Dodo, Kacalla Naguru, Kacalla Ɗan-Babirki, Kacalla Hana-Zuwa, Kacalla Adamu and the most recently was Kachallah Buzu aka Sububu.
One of the most recent and high-profile deaths was that of Kachalla Buzu, also known as Sububu, a notorious bandit leader. This success, attributed to the intensified efforts of Operation Hadarin Daji in collaboration with Zamfara State’s government-backed militia, has sent ripples through the criminal underworld.
However, despite these victories, the fight is far from over as the bandits continued to engage in hit and run as well as pockets of attacks in vulnerable communities. Rivalries and power struggles between bandit groups have further complicated the situation, leading to violent clashes between factions. For example, since April 2024, a violent feud has broken out between bandit leaders Sani Dangote and Dankarami (also known as Gwaska), leading to the deaths of dozens of bandits. These internal struggles for dominance among the criminal factions, though deadly, only serve to destabilize the region further.
The Rising Threat of Gwaska Dankarami
Gwaska Dankarami, who has emerged as one of the most dangerous and influential bandit leaders in the North West, is currently at the center of the power struggle. His recent attacks on rival bandit factions, including the killing of Sani Dangote’s associates, have positioned him as a major threat not only to the bandits themselves but also to security forces and local communities. Dankarami’s growing power highlights a disturbing reality: as long as one bandit leader is killed, another, often more dangerous, will rise to take their place.
The Turji Question
For many Nigerians, the hope is that the death of Bello Turji, one of the most infamous bandit leaders, would be the turning point in the fight against banditry. Turji’s terror campaign has left a trail of destruction and anguish across the North West, and his demise would undoubtedly bring relief to the families of his many victims.
However, experts warn that the killing of Bello Turji would not mark the end of banditry in the region. There are other bandit leaders, such as Alhaji Shingi, Alhaji Nashama, Ado Allero, Dogo Gide, and Dankarami, who are just as dangerous, if not more so. While Turji’s approach is driven by youthful aggression, older bandits like Nashama command respect and loyalty from other bandit factions, making them even harder to defeat.
Beyond Military Solutions: A Multi-Dimensional Approach
Ending banditry in the North West requires more than just military operations. Although the military has achieved significant victories, their efforts only address a portion of the problem. Banditry is deeply rooted in socio-economic issues such as illiteracy, poverty, and poor governance. The government must address these root causes if there is to be any lasting solution to the conflict.
The Nigerian government has made some efforts to engage local communities in the fight against banditry, notably through initiatives such as the Zamfara State Security Watch, which involves local youth in community security efforts. While this has yielded some positive results, more needs to be done. Authorities must adopt a deliberate and targeted approach, going after the key sponsors of banditry, who operate behind the scenes, often involved in illegal mining and other illicit activities. These sponsors are the true drivers of the conflict, using bandits as pawns to achieve their broader criminal objectives.
The government must also invest in long-term solutions such as education, job creation, and poverty alleviation. These efforts would help to prevent young people from being drawn into banditry in the first place. Furthermore, there must be a political will to tackle corruption and impunity, ensuring that those who support or profit from banditry are brought to justice.
Conclusion
While the military has made significant strides in combating banditry in the North West, the problem remains far from solved. As long as socio-economic issues persist and criminal sponsors continue to operate with impunity, banditry will remain a serious threat to the region’s stability. A multi-dimensional approach, combining military action with governance reforms, community engagement, and economic development, is the only way to ensure long-term peace and security in the North West.
The Banditry Menace in the North West: Challenges, Kingpins, and the Way Forward
NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It
By: Michael Mike
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO) of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Yemisi Asagbra debunked some allegations level against the agency by some non governmental organisations (NGOs) concerning negligence and compromise.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Asagbra said: “The negative statements circulating are misleading and lack credible scientific backing. The agency asks these organisations to present verifiable scientific evidence for their claims and we relies on sound scientific research and internationally recognized protocols to make informed decisions. It is part of the Cartagena Protocol with over 180 parties, our mandate is to protect the health of Nigerians and the environment. It will not compromise on this as it is an agency of integrity.
She added that: “The agency is transparent and accountable in its operations. It invites review of its processes and rigorous evaluations of GMO products. We are confident in our procedures that it’s meet global standards and it is a leader in effective regulation in Africa”.
On the source of the allegations, she said “over the years they have been advocating to have their presence in the board where all these products coming will be thoroughly Investigated, but it hasn’t been given. Most times we rely on the information given by Nigeria Custom Service to furnish them with needed information, which most time is not always easy if they have other things doing.
The Head planning, research and statistics National Biosafety Management Agency Mrs. Bello Scholastica said the agency is concerned with safety to our health and safety to our environment.
She further reiterated that what NBMA stands for is to establish first regulation from identification of the gene of interest, “of what you are interested in, from then till commercialization, and even after commercialization, they still follow suit to make sure that the approvals they gave hasn’t caused any harm, or those that were given approval to that they stay put to what they were asked to do”.
She further explained that the agency has put in effort to promote environmental conservation and biosafety in Nigeria.
NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It
House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill
By: Michael Mike
The House of Representatives has revealed that it is interested in the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Bill into law, saying that the bill has already passed the first reading and will soon be subjected to second reading.
The House also promised to take the necessary steps to ensure an improvement in the 2025 budget of the NHRC, pointing out that the N5 billion approved for it in the 2024 budget is inadequate considering the myriad of human rights violations in the country.
The Chairman House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Abiola Makinde made this disclosure during the oversight visit of Committee to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The Chairman, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Hon. Mudashiru Lukeman assured the NHRC that the Committee would continue to advance the course of human rights in Nigeria by ensuring that the House of Representatives passes critical bills on human rights issues as well as makes adequate budgetary provisions to ease the work of the Commission.
Makinde also stated that in a bid to improve some aspects of Civil and Political Rights, the House of Representatives had ensured the establishment of human rights desks in all police formations and Headquarters across the 36 States of the Federation.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu who received the lawmakers with his management staff told the Human Rights Committee that the Commission relies heavily on them for the enactment of human rights friendly laws and enhanced budgetary provisions to discharge it broad mandate of promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in the country.
He used the opportunity to commend the legislators for their role in the amendment of the NHRC Act 2010 as well as the support of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila in the payment of compensation to victims of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
He equally informed the legislators who were on oversight visit about the recent report released by the Commission following the findings of the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North East Nigeria , which he noted has saved the country from possible invitation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He noted that the aforementioned wide spread allegations of human rights infractions against some government institutions could result in the ICC extending invitations to some of the leaders to respond to the allegations, but the Commission has done the needful in compliance with the international principles of omplementarity.
He thanked the Committee for promising to improve the budgetary allocation of the Commission in the 2025 fiscal year.
House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill
FG Confirms Arrest of Simon Ekpa
By: Michael Mike
The arrest of Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa in Finland has been confirmed by the federal government.
A statement on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested by Finnish authorities on Thursday.
According to the statement, Ekpa was
charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence.
The Finnish District Court of
Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
The Finnish authorities alleged that Mr. Ekpa used social media platforms to spread
separatist propaganda, incite violence and encourage illegal actions, which had caused
significant disruptions in the South-East of Nigeria. Finnish investigators had also linked
him to incidents of violence in Nigeria, which were believed to had been fueled by his
online activities.
The statement said “the arrest of Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa follows sustained diplomatic
pressure by the Nigerian government on Finland, to take action against his activities,
which were linked to violence and instability in the South-East of Nigeria. The request
for action featured during high level engagements between countries.”
The Ministry stated that the arrest of Ekpa, is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB, and also neutralizing the influence of transnational actors and “their impact on our national security.”
The Ministry promised to continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses.
FG Confirms Arrest of Simon Ekpa
NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It
Nigerian lawyers Ask to Collaborate with Chinese Colleagues in Law Relating to Investment and Dispute Resolution
House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill
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