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The chairman of Isa Local Government Area in Sokoto State, Sharifu Kamarawa, revealed on Thursday that bandits continue to exert significant influence over certain villages within his jurisdiction, even going so far as to appoint and dismiss village leaders.
During a visit by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to some communities in eastern Isa, Sabon Birni, and Goronyo local government areas of Sokoto State, the chairman of Isa Local Government Area, Sharifu Kamarawa, disclosed that bandits have established a degree of control over certain villages in the area, to the point where they are able to dictate who serves as the village head.
Since his arrival in Sokoto State on Wednesday, Matawalle has been actively leading the campaign against banditry plaguing the North-West region.
The council chairman stated that the bandits, commanded by Bello Turji, have been usurping authority by appointing and dismissing village leaders in the affected areas.
“Here in Isa town, we are living peacefully. The problem is in the eastern part of Isa. There are places that are still under the control of bandits. They appoint and depose village heads there.
“We are appealing for a military camp in Kagara to take care of those areas. We used to have camped there before it was relocated. Then there was relative peace in those places. So we want the camp back,” he appealed.
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The council chairman did admit, though, that following the assassination of Halilu Sububu around a month ago, their communities have experienced a significant drop in violent incidents.
He said the people could now ply some roads which were formerly deserted.
In his remarks, Matawalle said President Bola Tinubu was seriously concerned about insecurity in the North, a reason why he appointed Northerners ministers of Defence and heads of security operatives.
“The President also directed me to ensure militarisation of all the danger areas in the state.
“So we are going to create a military base at Gundumi which will be patrolling Gundumi-Marnona road which remained closed for years.”