Homeinsecurity#Inside the Bandits’ Den: A Journalist’s Journey Through Kaduna’s Infamous Camps

#Inside the Bandits’ Den: A Journalist’s Journey Through Kaduna’s Infamous Camps

On December 20, 2024, my assignment as a journalist took a dramatic turn. I received a call from my office instructing me to prepare for a meeting with bandit kingpins near the notorious Rijana area in Kaduna State. After nearly a decade of covering insecurity, I was about to meet the perpetrators behind the headlines face-to-face.

This journey took me through the ruins of communities devastated by banditry and into the heart of the criminal underworld that has plagued Kaduna State for years.

Kaduna’s Grim Statistics

Banditry in Kaduna has claimed thousands of lives and displaced entire communities. In 2021 alone, at least 888 people were killed and over 2,500 kidnapped. By 2022, these figures soared to 1,052 killed and more than 4,200 abducted. Such numbers underscore the urgency for innovative solutions, beyond military intervention, to curb this menace.

Meeting the Bandits at Tsohuwar Gayan

The first meeting was set in Tsohuwar Gayan, a deserted village in Chikun Local Government Area. The drive through untarred roads and thick bush heightened my anxiety. As I arrived, I saw armed men under mango trees, some with AK-47 rifles and veils covering their faces.

The bandit leaders—Samaila Suleiman (aka Boka), Saleh Horror, and others—gathered for peace talks. They expressed fatigue with the violence and claimed they turned to crime due to ignorance and lack of government support. Boka spoke of their willingness to disarm and embrace peace if the government stopped military operations in their forests and provided basic amenities.

The Journey to Rima Forest

The following day, I traveled to Rima Forest in Giwa Local Government Area to meet another group of bandits. This area had suffered immensely, with villagers paying levies to access farmland.

Upon entering the forest, I encountered Kabiru, the brother of a slain bandit kingpin. Kabiru and his lieutenant, Haruna Dandukunu, admitted to their involvement in heinous crimes but expressed a desire for normalcy. Dandukunu confessed that ransom money often went toward purchasing weapons, debunking the myth of their wealth.

Pursuit of Yellow Jamboros

On December 22, I ventured to Birnin Gwari to meet Yellow Jamboros, a notorious bandit leader. While he was unavailable, his deputy, Hassan Shuaibu, assured us that their group had ceased attacks. The once-dangerous Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway now witnessed vehicles moving freely, symbolizing the potential success of the ongoing peace talks.

Villagers’ Reactions and Hopes

In the villages I visited, the peace talks sparked cautious optimism. Women and children sang and danced, while villagers inspected their long-abandoned homes. However, uncertainty lingered as many wondered whether the peace would last.

In Maidaro village, life was slowly returning to normal. Locals spoke of the need for forgiveness and unity, and butchers like Dahiru Pawa expressed gratitude for the newfound stability.

Reflections on the Road Ahead

My journey revealed a complex reality: the root causes of banditry extend beyond criminality to issues of poverty, displacement, and systemic neglect. Many bandits expressed a genuine desire to leave crime behind, but their commitment hinges on government sincerity and sustained dialogue.

The path to peace in Kaduna cannot rely solely on military action. Negotiation, rehabilitation, and community development must be part of the solution. Only then can the lives of Kaduna villagers be truly secured.

Headline news

- Advertisement -spot_img
Must Read
Related News
- Advertisement -spot_img