From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Chairman of Bukuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Abubakar Umar Faru, has called on the Federal Government to urgently equip security agencies with modern weapons to effectively tackle rising insecurity in the state.
Faru said the provision of advanced military hardware would enable security forces to launch a full-scale offensive against bandits operating in the Gando Forest and other hideouts across Zamfara.
In a statement made available to journalists, the council chairman disclosed that he had already supplied security agencies with the coordinates of bandits’ camps deep inside the forest but lamented their inability to confront the criminals effectively.
“The security agencies are doing their best to protect lives and property, but for this banditry to end, we must take the war to the bandits in the forest,” Faru said.
He noted that while the Zamfara State Government and local authorities were making efforts within their constitutional limits, they lacked direct control over federal security agencies.
“The governor and I are doing the best we can with the powers available to us, but security agencies do not take directives from the governor. He cannot compel them to act without federal approval,” he added.
Faru described the Gando Forest, a vast reserve used for farming, grazing and other economic activities, as having become a haven for armed bandits in recent years, leading to displacement of residents and disruption of agriculture.
He urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to address the menace and restore peace and security in Zamfara State and the country at large.
The council chairman also appealed to residents to support security personnel by providing credible intelligence and information on terrorist activities and other crimes within their communities.
