Sharifu Kamarawa, the chairman of Isa Local Government Area in Sokoto State, has revealed that bandits exercise control over vast areas within the local government, appointing traditional rulers and settling disputes among communities.
Kamarawa made this statement during a visit from the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Thursday, who came to assess the performance of troops in the region.
“Bandits have taken over parts of my local government area and act as traditional rulers and judges,” Kamarawa stated. “They have become an authority of their own. They even mediate and settle disputes in communities.”
The chairman expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that local leaders, including himself, lack control and authority over their people in that region, including his own village, Kamarawa.
He highlighted the presence of notorious bandit leaders, including Bello Turji and Dan Bokolo, who move freely and exercise power without any challenges.
Kamarawa emphasized that parts of his council area have become safe havens for bandits and other criminal gangs, urging the Minister to provide assistance. He reported that the bandits collect levies from communities at will.
He listed several affected areas in Sokoto, including Gebe, Kamarawa Arume, Bafarawa, and many villages along the border with the Niger Republic.
The chairman also lamented that only one village, Gundumi, remains inhabited, as all other villages along the 120-kilometer road have been deserted due to bandit activities.
