A leader of the notorious armed bandits group who are behind the incessant killings in Zamfara State has disclosed that there will be more bloodshed in the state as long as the President Muhamamdu Buhari led-Federal Government continues to wage war against them through heavy deployment of the military and other security forces in the area.

He stated this in a classified conversation with a first class emir in Zamfara State, a copy of the recorded tape was obtained exclusively  by the press.

The suspect who disclosed this to to the traditional ruler in the local Hausa language, the secret tape recording obtained from an high ranking military officer at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, disclosed that there will be no peace when “you call the police, soldiers and law enforcement agents to our villages; it will continue to cause more bloodshed”.

In the secret tape, the bandit opposed the deployment of troops in their communities, saying it would worsen the crisis.

Although the military source stated  that the emir in the audio is from Zurmi, one of the troubled local government areas in the state, the name of the emir was not mentioned throughout the recording.

Mansur Dan-Ali, the Minister of Defence, through his Public Relations Officer, Col Tukur Gusau, on Sunday said the Federal Government had some security reports on some community leaders linked to the bandits killing people in the state. The ministry stated that it  “could not be divulged to the public”, stating  that the earlier statement by Dan-Ali  over some emirs in the trouble sate supporting the bandits should never be viewed as a derogatory statement but rather it should be taken as a warning.

But the royal fathers in the troubled state under the umbrella of the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs, last week dare the military to mention the traditional leaders supporting the bandits.

They also disclosed  that the Nigerian Air Force fighter jets bombed innocent civilians in their villages instead of the bandits.

On Wednesday, the traditional rulers released the names of “11 innocent civilians who were killed in air strikes on Dumburum community in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state on April 9”. This are the names of the victims as listed by the royal father Daji Barau, Na Bumburum, Suwaiba Alka, Yar Guru, Maryam Shafiu, Dahe Sule, Dan Kurma, Zaliha Dumburum, Aisha Akilu, Alamin Alka and Fati Gum.

The royal fathers through a first class emir,Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, the Emir of Bungudu, has disclosed that an indepedent fact finding investigation should be launched for verification of their claims which he stated was true.

But the Nigerian Air Force has already denied the allegation stating that a fact finding high powered committee had constituted an high powered military panel to investigate the claim by the royal fathers.

 

 

What do you think is the ultimate solution to the incessant killings by the armed bandits ? Share your views and thoughts in the comment section provided below.

 

SOURCE: PUNCH