Former Minister of Interior and retired Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), has expressed concern over the worsening insecurity in Northern Nigeria, revealing that terrorists are now collecting taxes and enforcing laws in some communities.
Speaking at the First Media and Security Summit in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, themed “Existential Threats and National Security,” Dambazau lamented that insecurity in the North has persisted for over two decades, claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions.
“The North has suffered from herders-farmers clashes, terrorism, and banditry. People were killed in mosques in Katsina, Borno, Zamfara, and Kano. We have reached a situation where bandits and insurgents have taken over some of our communities, taxing and making laws for them,” he said.
He noted that thousands have been killed, farmers displaced, and herders’ cattle rustled without meaningful government intervention.
Dambazau urged northern governors to reduce dependence on federal allocations by establishing Ministries of Mineral Resources and harnessing natural resources to create jobs and reduce poverty, which he described as a root cause of insecurity.
He also called for the restoration of traditional institutions, investment in agriculture, and education for out-of-school children.
“Over 70 percent of those suffering from poverty caused by insecurity are from the North. Religious extremism has emboldened groups like Boko Haram and armed bandits to unleash violence on our people,” he added.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, in his remarks, said security should not be left to government alone, emphasizing unity and dialogue as keys to restoring peace.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State also urged northern leaders to examine the root causes of insecurity, including climate change and socio-economic challenges.
