Armed banditry: Traders return to Zamfara rural markets
In the last five years, farmers and herdsmen in Zamfara State have suffered a series of brutal attacks from suspected armed bandits and cattle rustlers. Consequently, commercial activities in the rural markets of the state have waned significantly. Thousands of residents were forced to abandon their homes and the markets. For fear of attacks by […]
In the last five years, farmers and herdsmen in Zamfara State have suffered a series of brutal attacks from suspected armed bandits and cattle rustlers. Consequently, commercial activities in the rural markets of the state have waned significantly. Thousands of residents were forced to abandon their homes and the markets. For fear of attacks by vigilante groups, Fulani herdsmen, who formed the majority of traders in the weekly community markets, stayed away.
On their part, the vigilante groups, who are mostly locals of Hausa extraction, justified their clampdown on the markets, claiming that they were fishing out suspected criminals.
Popular community markets such as Mutunji in Dansadau district had skeletal activities. Daily Trust on Sunday learnt that there was a time armed bandits killed a vigilante leader on a market day and traders quickly deserted the area for fear of possible reprisal.
Such ugly developments led to accusations and counter accusations between the warring groups, resulting to deadly raids on hapless villages and subsequent loss of lives and property.
However, late last year, the political and military leadership in the state initiated peace talks. And the move is yielding a positive result as peace is returning to the communities.
Following the peace dialogue, it was observed that cattle and camels from other towns and villages are now being herded to the Yar Tashar Sahabi cattle market for business. Traders, comprising the Fulani nomads and the Hausa, now engage in fruitful transactions. They could be seen communicating freely. For three years, no one could sell or buy in the market as it was deserted for fear of the unknown.
A resident of the community, Alhaji Umaru Yar Tasha, confirmed that during the last market day, Fulani nomads brought cattle, sheep, goats and dairy products for sale, an indication that peace has returned.
“Before now, no one was willing to come here. Sometimes the armed bandits would strike at will and everyone would be scared. Some traders who managed to come to the market would hurriedly leave.” Tasha said.
Also, before the peace talks, business activities had virtually stopped at the Dansadau Kara market following cattle rustling activities. Few cattle were tethered for sale. As a result of this situation, weeds had taken over most parts of the market as many dealers abandoned their businesses. Dansadau Kara was one of the leading cattle markets in the area. But commercial activities are now picking up as tensions are being doused.
Many traders who spoke with our correspondent expressed happiness over the new development.
Mallam Jariri Isah, a well known cattle dealer in the area, narrated how armed bandits took away over 85 cattle from him when he was herding them to market.
“I was moving the cattle to the market alongside my son when gun-wielding men on motorbikes suddenly overtook us. We were about to abandon the animals and run for our dear lives, but one of them instructed us not to run. They took away all the cattle. As a result of the attack I stopped the business for several years as I completely lost my capital base to cattle rustlers. But I will resume business as things have started to improve for better,’’ Isah said.
Another cattle seller, Musa Lawali, said most herders had left the area, adding that anybody who had more than 50 cattle could not survive the activities of rustlers. For fear of attacks, dealers would quickly round off their trading activities for the day. By 6pm every one would hurry to leave the market for fear of being intercepted by the armed bandits
“I know of many big dealers who cannot boast of a single animal now, having lost them to the criminals. That marked the end of their businesses. You will not see any genuine herder in this area now. You can see some with cattle but they could be among the cattle rustlers or their brothers and sons. That’s the only way the safety of their animals could be guaranteed. Those rearing cattle for farming activities have also stopped. Only very few individuals are interested in cattle rearing,” he said.
Murtala Kurar Mota, who hails from Bungudu Local Government Area, expressed happiness at what he saw in Dangulbi Market. “I felt a new atmosphere when I went there. It was really very exciting to see business activities picking up after years of hostility,’’ he said.
A member of the Committee on Peace Dialogue, Alhaji Sani Gwamna Mayanchi, expressed optimism that things would soon normalise in the area. The committee is being chaired by the deputy governor of the state, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad.
Mayanchi said members of the committee went round the markets to see things for themselves and pacify the warring factions.
“We went to markets in Dansadau, Yar Tasha Sahabi and Dangulbi towns. The Fulani took their animals there and nothing happened to them. In the same vein, hunters, farmers, and lumber men went to the forests for their businesses and came back home unharmed. So this is a welcome development,” he said.
Alhaji Mayanchi, however, explained that the committee would continue going round to calm frayed nerves until peace is completed restored in the state.
“We are determined to allay the fear being nursed in some quarters and assure the residents that peace will return. They should go about their normal businesses. We are building the confidence of residents – the end to the reign of terror is near. Both warring factions have assured us of their support to this noble cause,” he added.