Tell us where 1000 were killed in recent Zamfara attack or get arrested, Matawalle challenges Bafarawa

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has challenged former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa to present any officially obtained list which showed that 1,000 people were killed in recent attack in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas of the state.

Matawalle, made the challenge on Wednesday while receiving federal government delegation led by the Minister of Defence, General Bashir Salihi Magashi.

The Governor further revealed that, the State Government had reliably received with dismay, a report that Bafarawa has said that 1,000 people were killed in Anka and Bukkuyum by bandits as against the officially compiled figure by both the State Government and security agencies which arrived at 58.

“Our findings as government, 36 people were killed in Bukkuyum local government area, while 22 were also killed semoultenuously in Anka, making the total number of the slained innocent people to 58. There had not been any other attack within the affected areas that gave additional number to our discovery”, Matawalle stressed.

He, however, requested for a comprehensive review of the prevailing strategy of fighting insurgency.

He pleaded for a more workable plan of action tailored explicitly in tune with the realities on the ground.

“This is a clarion call for us to step up efforts in this fight before the dreadful monster consumes our region and the country as a whole. 

“I would like to add that any strategy to be drawn for fighting banditry and all forms of insurgency should focus greater attention on Zamfara State. Our forests have become fortresses for bandits, from where they plan and launch attacks to other parts of the northwest.

“As part of this strategy, special forces should be deployed to some blackspots, particularly identified to be more dangerous centres of activities of the bandits. These blackspots are Gando, in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, Munhaye of Tsafe Local Government Area, Bayan Ruwa, in Maradun Local Government Area, Kabaro- Sangeku, of Dansadau and Magami axis. The special forces could help dislodge the bandits and block exits of those fleeing. 

“The Super Tucano warplanes obtained by the Federal Government would be super handy in the implementation of the new combat strategy along the Zamfara Katsina axis, with Zamfara as the command centre. We, in Zamfara State, are making efforts to obtain the appropriate coordinates of all the blackspots in order to aid air force operations. So far, we have provided quite a number of these coordinates to the air force. 

Earlier, the Minister of Defence, General Bashir Salihi Magashi, said they were in Zamfara to extend the federal government’s sympathy and condolences to the state.

“We have come to also reassure the State Government and good people of Zamfara State, that such an incident will never happen again as most needed security measures were put in place with a view to adequately safeguard the conduct of social activities.

“President Buhari has approved the use of all military means to ensure that no banditry, kidnapping for ransom and cattle rustling succeeds.