The community of Sabon Birni in Sokoto State has paid over N160 billion in ransoms and levies to bandits, according to a report by the Gobir Development Association, a group representing professionals within the local government area. The association revealed that over N60 billion was paid as ransom, while more than N100 billion was handed over to bandits as imposed levies. The group also disclosed that the community has lost over N2 billion to armed bandits, highlighting the severe impact of ongoing insecurity in the area.
The Gobir Development Association, through its chairman, Idris Alhassan Gatawa, and secretary, Professor Aliyu Gobir, expressed deep concern over the rising cases of banditry and its devastating effects on the community. The group noted that the recent killing of their District Head, Muhammad Bawa, who was abducted and murdered by bandits along the Sabon Birni–Sokoto Road, exemplifies the dire situation. The insecurity in Sabon Birni has not only resulted in significant financial losses but also created a climate of fear and instability, with residents unable to access two-thirds of the arable farmlands due to the threat of being kidnapped or killed.
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The situation has led to severe economic hardship, food insecurity, and social disruption in the community. The theft of livestock has been particularly damaging, with about 600,000 heads of cattle and five million sheep and goats rustled by bandits over the last five years. The Gobir Development Association has called on the government at all levels to take immediate action to curb the killings, kidnappings, and displacement of people in the area. The group emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to restore peace and stability, safeguard the livelihoods of the residents, and address the root causes of insecurity in the region.
This stark revelation underscores the heavy toll that banditry has taken on Sabon Birni, highlighting the urgent need for effective and sustained efforts to combat insecurity in Sokoto State. The financial and social losses faced by the community are a clear indication of the broader implications of the ongoing conflict, not just for Sokoto but for other regions grappling with similar challenges. The appeal from the Gobir Development Association serves as a critical reminder of the human cost of insecurity and the pressing need for comprehensive solutions to restore peace and security in the region.
Source: Punch.ng
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