By Anthony Isaac, Abuja
A member of the House of Representatives from Zamfara State, Hon. Aminu Jaji, has raised the alarm over the deteriorating security situation in his constituency, alleging that in just two days, attacks by bandits resulted in the abduction of over 60 persons.
Jaji who painted a grim picture of escalating banditry, mass abductions, and widespread lawlessness that have left communities devastated and thousands displaced, said the area has been attacked over 200 times.
Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly, Jaji—who previously chaired the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence—disclosed that over 200 attacks have been recorded across Kaura Namoda Local Government Area alone. He named affected communities such as Dayo, Banga, Gabaki, Korea, and Madura.
“Just two days ago, 60 people were abducted in Banga. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 30 million naira. Tragically, 10 of the victims were killed, and the fate of the remaining 50 remains uncertain,” he said.
Jaji lamented that despite repeated assurances from political leaders, little tangible progress has been made in curbing insecurity. “We promised that if our party came to power, insecurity would become a thing of the past. Unfortunately, the current reality paints a different picture,” he noted, adding that many communities have now become ghost towns due to incessant attacks.
He recounted horrifying incidents, including one in which a pregnant woman gave birth in captivity, only for the bandits’ leader to feed her newborn twins to dogs. In another case, a boy suffering from epilepsy was executed by bandits after falling during an encounter.
“A pregnant woman was abducted. She gave birth to twins while still in captivity. The bandit leader took the newborns and fed them to his dog. The dog ate the twins, one after the other. Where are we as a nation?” he asked, visibly shaken.
“This is a moment that demands action. We must speak truth to ourselves and act decisively. Whether through macro or micro-level operations, something urgent must be done,” he stressed.
“These are not just isolated stories. This is the harsh daily reality for our people. They cannot farm, they cannot trade, and many are now internally displaced—unrecognized and unsupported by both state and federal authorities,” Jaji said.
He criticized the federal government’s lack of response, noting that despite repeated engagements with the Ministry of Defence and other security agencies, there has been no meaningful intervention on the ground.
Once one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states, Zamfara has now become a hotspot for criminal activity. “Despite our history of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians, and the introduction of Sharia law, we are now plagued by violence,” he said.
Jaji emphasized that the people of Zamfara deserve the same protection and support as every other region in the country, especially considering their significant contribution to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general elections.
“This is no longer about politics. It’s about human lives. The 1999 Constitution, as amended, clearly states that the protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of the government,” he declared.
He called on the President and all relevant stakeholders to act swiftly, warning that the unchecked spread of insecurity in Zamfara could engulf the entire nation.
“People cry to us for help. They come in tears. They are not moving because they know where to go—they are moving because they have no other choice,” he said.
