Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has claimed that bandits terrorising Nigeria are from the northern part of the country and not from Mali or Burkina Faso as claimed in some quarters.
According to him, bandits operating in the North-West are Fulanis, and those in the North-East are Kanuris.
Naijaonpoint reports that Sani made the bold claim while speaking on The Morning Show on Arise TV on Wednesday.
He, however, argued that it is unacceptable for about 5,000 bandits to be holding a nation of about 230 million people to ransom.
According to the former lawmaker, the government needs to be more strategic and determined in taking action against the bandits and other criminals.
“The bandits are from the northern parts of Nigeria. From the North-West are Fulanis, and the North-East are Kanuris. I don’t believe it when people say they are from Mali or Burkina Faso,” he declared.
Sani also welcomed the idea of suspending illegal mining activities in areas where bandit activities are popular, arguing that the line between mining and bandit operations has blurred.
He submitted that suspending mining in affected areas would enable the government to take more proactive action in resolving the situation.
“Illegal miners are in cahoot with bandits, so suspension of these mining would help, but not in all ways. Most of the places where these mining activities are taking place are the places where the bandits operate.
“It is difficult to differentiate who a miner or a bandit is, and the suspension would give the military and government a way to tackle these issues,” he said.
The former lawmaker lamented that banditry has devastated agriculture, education, and social life across the North, adding that the government needs to take decisive action in combating the criminals.
He also called for a collaborative effort between all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political leaders, civil society groups and governors in exterminating the activities of the bandits and terrorists.
“If we are truly interested in solving this problem, we can do it.
“Countries like Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have smaller budgets than Nigeria, but they are doing their best to secure their territories,” he said.
Sani further called for a collective response, urging traditional rulers, political leaders, civil society groups and northern governors to treat the crisis as an existential threat requiring coordinated action.
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