Insecurity: Foreigners Fueling Banditry in Zamfara, Says Emir

The Emir of Kotorkoshi in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmad Umar, has attributed the lingering banditry and criminality in the state to foreigners who have come to exploit the region’s mineral resources, particularly gold.

Initially, disagreements between Fulani and Hausa communities over cattle rearing, farming, and grazing land were the main cause of the conflict. However, the discovery of gold and other mineral resources has exacerbated the situation.

The Emir made these comments when Defence Correspondents, led by Deputy Director, Coordination of Media Operations, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Dahiru Abumawashi, visited his palace in Zamfara.

He emphasized that foreign collaborators are involved in the security situation in Zamfara State, stating, “Our people have been killed, and other Nigerians have also been killed. Despite security agencies killing armed Fulanis, their numbers continue to increase. They come from Mali, Burkina Faso, and other places, kill our people, and loot our resources.”

The Emir also criticized selfish politicians for prioritizing party interests over national security, which he described as unpatriotic. He called for a holistic solution to the problem, urging the federal, state, and local governments to work together to identify the root causes of insecurity. He advocated for increased military force against the perpetrators and improved welfare for security personnel.

To address banditry in Nigeria, the Emir stressed the need for equality, pointing out that Nigerians, especially the poor, have been denied basic necessities by the political class. He emphasized that some politicians without university degrees earn far more than graduates and even soldiers who sacrifice their comfort for the country.”