Sultan of Sokoto Predicts Decades-Long Struggle Against Banditry in North-West

The President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III and Sultan of Sokoto, has projected that it will take decades for the North-West region of Nigeria to overcome the issues of banditry and insecurity. 

This statement was made during the North-West Peace and Security Summit held in Katsina State, on Monday, 24 June, 2024.

“What we must do is to challenge these bandits because we all know the consequences of banditry and insurgency on our lives.”

Abubakar emphasized the necessity of confronting the bandits, highlighting the severe consequences that banditry and insurgency have on the lives of the people in the region.

He expressed a grim outlook, suggesting that even with concerted efforts, it might take decades to fully resolve these issues.

“What we must do is challenge these bandits because we all know the consequences of banditry and insurgency on our lives. But it will take decades to get out of it, if at all we get out of it. We all know the consequences and the problems,” he stated.

The Sultan also expressed the readiness of traditional rulers to collaborate with security agencies and Northern governors to address the myriad issues brought about by banditry and insurgency.

He expressed hope that the summit would yield proposals aimed at significantly reducing insurgency, allowing people to resume their normal lives and businesses.

In recent years, states in the North-West, including Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, and Jigawa, have been plagued by banditry.

Thousands of people, particularly vulnerable populations, have been killed or displaced by these violent groups, who often disguise themselves as herders.

The ongoing violence has created a dire security situation in the region, demanding urgent and sustained efforts to restore peace and stability.