Heinous crime at Birane village

The killing of 41 people by armed bandits at Birane village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State on February 15, this year was a heinous crime that requires all security hands to be on deck to bring the culprits to book. Dozens of armed men on motorcycles intercepted a Canter vehicle conveying bridesmaids […]

The killing of 41 people by armed bandits at Birane village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State on February 15, this year was a heinous crime that requires all security hands to be on deck to bring the culprits to book. Dozens of armed men on motorcycles intercepted a Canter vehicle conveying bridesmaids and traders to the community market. They killed the driver, then opened fire on the vehicle, killing all on board.  The bandits then proceeded to the community market and started shooting indiscriminately. In addition to the deaths, property worth millions was destroyed. 

The Birane incident was only the latest in a series of attacks going back several years in Zamfara State. Three months ago, 24 persons were killed and dozens of residential houses were torched in attacks on three communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state. The state governor, Abdul-Aziz Yari later claimed that security agents were alerted of an impending attack but that they failed to act.  He said, “Whatever humanly possible that needed to be done, we as a government have done to mitigate this disaster. But it does appear that security agencies are failing in their responsibilities.”

Yari said he had intelligence reports 24 hours before the Birane attack happened that the bandits were regrouping. He said he alerted the security agencies but they sent inadequate personnel to confront the bandits. Emir of Zurmi Alhaji Atiku Abubakar also said, “If not for the bravery of vigilante groups who confronted the bandits, the casualty figures would have been higher.” 

This attack is only one of the many that the people of Zamfara State have had to endure and it is very unfortunate that despite the hues and cries after each incident, the bandits have not been tamed.  In July 2016 President Muhammadu Buhari was in the state to launch Operation Harbin Kunama 1 to tackle the menace of cattle rustling and armed banditry. The state government also offered amnesty to repentant cattle rustlers and thieves, all in a bid to ensure security of lives and property but these efforts only provided temporary relief.

After another attack last November, the federal government announced plans to establish an Army Brigade in the state to help check armed banditry and cattle rustling but till date that has not been done. We urge the government to expedite action on that plan so as to boost the strength of security personnel in the state. 

There is the need to probe the governor’s statement that security agents were alerted 24 hours before the attack and that nothing much was done to avert it. This should be looked into and appropriate action taken. Security agents should be on alert at all times and every information should be taken with all the seriousness it deserves. it is important for the state governor to remain in the state and steer its affairs. It is not enough for him to say he alerted security personnel. For more than 48 hours after the incident, Governor Yari was yet to return to his state. That is not good enough. He should be on ground to give security agents and people of the state the needed moral and material support.  

Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris was quoted as saying the security situation in Zamfara State is getting out of hand. He made that remark when he visited the Emir of Zurmi to condole with him over the killings. That is not what Nigerians want to hear from the police chief. The IGP sounded helpless and that can only embolden the criminals. He should instead get his men together and ensure that the issue is tackled once and for all. Of course the police alone cannot do it without military help, given the scale of the problem in Zamfara State. It is also time for all stakeholders to sit down together and review this issue in Zamfara State.  All hands must be on deck to end this banditry once and for all.