BEYOND THE SUSPENSION OF MINING IN ZAMFARA STATE
BEYOND THE SUSPENSION OF MINING IN ZAMFARA STATE
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
April 8, 2019
nurudeendauda24@gmail.com
nurudeendauda24@gmail.com
nurudeendauda.blogspot.com
To begin with, there have been a lot of "Conspiracy theories"on the issue of killings in Zamfara state. The theories have on many occasions linked the killings to "illegal mining" activities by both "locals" and "foreigners" in the state. I shall come back to this, please come with me!
In my view, for the government to address the various issues of Insecurity in Zamfara state and Nigeria as a whole, it must address the issues of, namely: (1) Illegal Mining, (2) Cattle Rustling, (3) Extreme poverty, (4) Unemployment, (5) Illiteracy , (6) Poor Intelligence gathering /sharing among security agencies, (7) Poor welfare of the security men, and (8) Poor or absent of deployment of modern technology by the security agencies etc.
However, the argument of the "Conspiracy theorists" on the inccesant killings in Zamfara state is that, the heightened massive killings in recent times in the state is due to "illegal mining"which have been ongoing for many years unnoticed. It is alleged that illegal mining activities are being perpetrated by highly placed elite in the state and the country at large with collaboration of foreigners .
It was further alleged that, the people of Zamfara being largely farmers have accepted the call for farming by the present administration with which "illegal miners" fear that there illegal activities will soon be known . It is alleged that, the massive killings of "locals" is aimed at scaring them away from their farms in order not to notice the rampant illegal mining activities in the state.
In a book called, "On Industrial Development of the Northern States of Nigeria" which was edited in the year 2002 by Dr Usman Bugaje, Dr Ladi A. Hamalai and Sabo A. Indabawa stated that, there is "Gold" in Gummi, Maru, Tsafe, Anka, Bukkuyum , and Kauran Namoda local government areas of Zamfara state.
Another worrisome security challenge is kidnapping. Kidnapping is becoming very alarming in our country. It has frightened many people away from their farms at a time the government is asking the people to go back to farm. Cattle Rustling has been identified as one of the major reason for the inccesant Kidnappings in the country.
In my observation, the situation in Zamfara is more of "Armed banditry" than "Kidnapping". The "marauders" do not largely Kidnap for "ransom" as in the cases in Katsina and Kaduna states etc.
There is the allegation that the Kidnappers are largely the Fulani herdsmen by the accounts of many abductees. Many "abductees" while in captivity alleged that their "abductors" told them that they were (and or are still) in kidnapping because they lost their sources of livelihood to the infamous "Cattle Rustling"and therefore resort to Kidnapping for ransom as an alternative means for survival.
However, It is important to note that, a lot of suspects arrested previously for alleged Kidnapping and armed banditry showed that not only the Fulanis but also different ethnic groups are involved in the crime.
On why the issue of Kidnapping lingers.There is the allegation of complicity by some security agencies because of its financial benefits. There is the issue of our Large and thick unsecured "forests" which stretched up to our neighbouring countries.
More so, on the issue of Armed banditry in Zamfara state, there is the allegation of complicity by some politicians who are involved in illegal mining.There is also the allegation of the involvement of some District Heads too. Whatever it is the responsibility of the government to find a wayout.
Protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of very government anywhere in the world, for this, the government should look at various allegations by security experts critically with a view of providing lasting solution on our various security challenges in the country otherwise the purpose of government is defeated. It is high time we resort to technology driven security approach.
May God bless Nigeria!