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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
Troops rescue kidnapped farmer as ISWAP terrorists flee with bullet wounds in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued a farmer who was abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in New Abaram village, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident occurred on Sunday when three terrorists, disguised as hunters with dogs, infiltrated farmlands in the community and kidnapped the victim.
The sources said that the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, responded swiftly after farm escorts in the area alerted troops.
“On sighting our troops, the terrorists opened fire on the victim and fled the scene with gunshot wounds,” the source said.
The victim sustained gunshot injuries to the mouth and hand and was immediately evacuated to General Hospital, Bama, where he is receiving medical treatment.
The source added that the general security situation in the area remained calm.
Troops rescue kidnapped farmer as ISWAP terrorists flee with bullet wounds in Borno
Exclusive photo obtain by Zagazola confirms arrest Boko Haram founder’s son, others in Chad
By: Zagazola Makama
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert has obtained exclusive photos confirming the arrest of the 18-year-old son of late Boko Haram founder, Muslim Mohammed Yusuf, in Chad.
The suspect, was reportedly captured alongside five other jihadists during a security operation by Chadian forces. Sources said he was leading a six-man cell linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter faction of Boko Haram.
Photos seen by Zagazola show a young, short and slender man in a blue tracksuit, bearing a striking resemblance to the late Boko Haram leader, standing among far older suspects.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola that Abdrahman is the younger brother of ISWAP leader, Habib Yusuf, also known as Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi.
Security sources in Chad confirmed the arrest of six suspected members of Boko Haram/ISWAP but declined to provide further details on their identities.
Mohammed Yusuf, founder of Boko Haram, was captured by the Nigerian military and later executed in police custody in Maiduguri on July 30, 2009.
The younger Yusuf, believed to have been born in Nigeria before the group’s insurgency escalated in 2009, is said to have been groomed into militancy and recently emerged as a field commander within ISWAP’s Lake Chad network.
“He and his team were arrested by Chadian security. They are six in number. He was the head of the cell.”
The arrest is being seen as a major breakthrough in ongoing regional efforts to dismantle jihadist networks operating across the Lake Chad Basin.
Exclusive photo obtain by Zagazola confirms arrest Boko Haram founder’s son, others in Chad
Prof. Ahidjo urges colleagues to stem the tide of medical tourism affecting the country
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Professor Ahmed Ahidjo has called on colleagues in the medical sector to step up their level of excellence to stem the tide of medical tourism affecting the country.
Ahidjo who was the guest speaker during a recent dinner in honour of the former CMD of the Federal Neuro Psychiatrist Hospital (FNPH) Maiduguri, Professor Ibrahim Wakawa argued that it is only the excellence Nigerian physicians are known abroad for that can decrease the crave for residents to resist medical tourism which is on the rise in the country.
He noted that when excellence is stamped in all facets of the medical sector,the needed growth will be achieved and a lot of people who are not satisfied with the sector will begin to have a rethink and do their treatments in Nigeria.
Ahidjo commended Professor Wakawa for a job well done adding that “he has really done well by transforming the hospital from where he met it to where it is right now.”
“Professor Wakawa is a former member of the executive of the ‘Committee of CMDS’ who believed so much in professionalism while he was there so I am not surprised that he rose to such a high height in his career ” Said Ahidjo.
The CMD called on colleagues to do their best at all times so that only the best could be mirrored out as their personal optics when people begin to look for the good or bad outputs of professionals at times like these adding that it is however not always necessary to look out for the bad side of people when striving for excellence.
Ahidjo equally commended the CMDs for daring to come to Maiduguri in spite of all the fears and myths associated with the state due to the lingering insurgency war that is affecting social life.
UMTH he maintained is privileged to have them in town for the 110th session they came for adding that he is grateful for having them in Maiduguri at a time like this.
Reeling out the achievements of the CMD, he said that Wakawa has face-lifted the entire hospital from how he met it to a very special place devoid of the usual inhibitions associated with mental hospitals.
” He not only stopped at infrastructure, he has been able to produce more than ten consultants and four Phd nurses during his tenure as CMD. About two other psychologists are doing their PhD’s as at the time he is completing his tenure”.
Also pouring encomium on Wakawa, the Secretary to the State government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani commended Wakawa for his achievements in the FNPH.
He assured the committee that the state is relatively peaceful for now adding that whatever hospitality that has been meted out to them during the visit is the typical “Borno hospitality” which is the true hallmark of the residents of the state.
Responding, the former CMD FNPH Professor Wakawa thanked colleagues for lining up to celebrate the end of his tenure at the dinner held at the new Bola Tinubu IT complex in the UMTH.
He gave credence to Professor Ahmed Ahidjo for guiding him throughout the nine years he spent as CMD rectifying many issues at the FNPH in Maiduguri.
He however warned that rectifiers like him are most times seen as committing wrongs against the status quo adding that there are so many challenges in the medical sector which needs fixing if one has the determination and guts to fix it.
” Its regrettable however that that is the way the system works. They are always waiting to resist the standard practice which we all know thereby distorting the difference between wrong and right as we all know it to be.
Professor Ibrahim Wakawa a consultant psychiatrist and lecturer at the University of Maiduguri was the Chief Medical Director of the FNPH in Maiduguri before completing his two terms tenure as CMD recently. He is a consultant psychiatrist and a lecturer in Psychiatry at the University of Maiduguri, with research interests in HIV psychiatry, psychopharmacology, and epilepsy.
Prof. Ahidjo urges colleagues to stem the tide of medical tourism affecting the country
Troops rescue kidnapped farmer as ISWAP terrorists flee with bullet wounds in Borno
Exclusive photo obtain by Zagazola confirms arrest Boko Haram founder’s son, others in Chad
Prof. Ahidjo urges colleagues to stem the tide of medical tourism affecting the country
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