‘Repentant’ cattle rustlers become peace advocates in Katsina
Abdullahi Karki, a self acclaimed ‘King of Terrorists’ and former gang leader of about 20 armed bandits and rustlers, has turned a new leaf as he led his gang to renounce their past unholy ways of banditry and cattle rustling, by becoming an advocate of peace. This is a new initiative aimed at addressing the […]
Abdullahi Karki, a self acclaimed ‘King of Terrorists’ and former gang leader of about 20 armed bandits and rustlers, has turned a new leaf as he led his gang to renounce their past unholy ways of banditry and cattle rustling, by becoming an advocate of peace. This is a new initiative aimed at addressing the menace of banditry and cattle rustling in Katsina State.
Karki’s gang was among the many who have terrorised residents and communities around the dreaded Rugu forest in Katsina. Many people have been killed, raped and maimed by the bandits who attack communities, dispossessing the inhabitants of their belongings.
Cattle rustling and banditry have for many years remained the teething problems bedevilling the people of the southern part of Katsina State, especially communities surrounding the dreaded Rugu forest spanning over 220 kilometers.
The forest has become a hideout for the bandits and a no go area for any persons, which also serves as a place for the trade in stolen animals, as thousands of such animals worth billions of naira were lost to the activities of such bandits.
This new initiative has started yielding results with many rustlers and bandits joining the trend, and pledging to submit their arms to security operatives, by accepting and vowing to do away with their past and choosing a new path in life.
The leadership of Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in the state was able to bring the two warring factions together for a round table discussion, with a view to forging a common ground that will be acceptable to all.
Several meetings are being held with some of the gangs representatives, government and security operatives inside the forest, all aimed at bringing an end to the menace.
According to Karki, joining banditry and rustling was not an easy decision for him as in the past three years he has been fully involved in the act “I joined this way of life when I became a subject of attack by some members of a group of thugs who have penciled me down. I had no way but to move in and mobilise some like minds for protection.”
What we started as a ‘Kaura gang’ later became a group of rustlers. After a while I assumed leadership of many members, who were forced out by different circumstances, especially by their respective communities.
Many members were castaways from their communities and they have no where to live, and lack what to do, and so they voluntarily joined. Some were accused of rape, stealing, and maligned by their host communities, making their life hard by not associating with and dealing with them. Some are being hunted by people, and for that fear they came to us and we accommodate them.”
Born 36 years ago, Karki said for the past three years the forest has been his home.
“I sat and thought over and over of my way of life, and guidance came from God. I foresaw no good coming from this act, and said this is not it. I approached the authorities and told them of my decision, and that is how I got involved in this peace advocacy effort,” he said.
“I virtually know all the bandits and their mode of thinking. I have resolved to meet with all of them, especially those who are found in the act to persuade them. What I started with 30 persons has now blossomed to well over 500 repentant bandits,” he added.
Another gang leader, Bello Nadama, alias ‘Danboko’ said this new initiative has afforded him the opportunity to travel and meet with many of his former contemporaries who still indulge in the illicit trade, to discuss and sensitize them on the need to change their way of life.
He said, even though his life is in great danger, what is worth doing is worth doing well so that posterity will judge him as having renounced his old ways. He is deeply involved in ensuring others too join the effort.
Ardo Abdu Nashawari has not stepped out of the forest in the last three years with his animals. Under difficult conditions and attack from bandits and rustlers within the forest, life has been unbearable. He was forced to relocate because of no available grazing lands and due to conflict with farmers.
“It may interest you to know that every day I bring my children to the edge of the forest for some Okada man whom I arranged with to take them to school in town and return them. My wealth is in the forest and I have to stay and protect them.”
According to him, the forest is another world of its own, where jungle justice takes course in all that transpires within. The stronger and well armed you are, the better for you.
“My people set me up in Danmusa town accusing me of stealing which I never did. The security personnel have continued to tag every Fulani man as a criminal. As such I took to the forest to live therein for fear of my life,” he added.
For Lawal Sani and Ardo Ja’I Tanire, every ethnic group has its ‘bad eggs’. But to the security operatives all Fulani men are seen as criminals. We are humans who also need the basics of life like water, schools, and farming supports to live well, and continue to coexist peacefully.
Usman alias Ruga Kachalla said in the past ten years, security operatives have been hunting for him, and burning his houses on the allegation of his being a rustler. He said, “what they failed to understand is that I’m innocent of all the accusations against me. I have not been given the chance to speak out and clear my name, not until this new initiative.”
“I’m not a criminal but a proud Fulani cattle man who wants the best for his life and animals. I joined this initiative to clear my name and restore sanity in our affairs,” he added
Four separate meetings have so far taken place since the coming of the new initiative, both within and outside the forest.
Speaking at one of such meeting in Illela town of Safana Local Government, Secretary to the government of Katsina State, Mustapha Inuwa said this is a major breakthrough in government efforts towards restoring peace in the area, noting that “following this remarkable feat, government will establish a standing committee on the peace initiative to sustain the achievement so far. The courage of all of you who have surrendered is a thing of joy, and a boost to peaceful coexistence. I urge all those that have surrendered to extend news about the new development to others, so that more will accept peace and choose a new lease of life,” he said
“So we are to sit with them and agree on certain terms and conditions, so we cannot say precisely this is what is going to happen. But I believe generally they will surrender all the weapons with them, and the stolen animals as well,” he said.
Speaking on the development, the state chairman of Miyetti Allah, Mannir Atiku said the initiative has started yielding positive results.
“Just last Monday, I received a report of a woman who was kidnapped in Danmusa. I reached out to Karki and his people who mobilised, and the woman was rescued alongside another woman with her baby. They asked us to tell the security operatives to back off and allow us move in. They did and after some hours they returned with the rescued victims,” he added.
He said the ring leaders acceptance of denouncing rustling is courageous and must be commended ,noting that this will greatly improve the socio economic activities of the areas.
For the security operatives, it was a welcome development towards addressing the challenge. Army Captain A. Ibrahim who heads many of such operations against rustlers and bandits in the forest,said the army and other security outfits will collaborate in this new initiative for the betterment of the society.
Some residents of the neighbouring villages believe that this new drive has had great impact, as they can now move freely and go about their activities without much fear.
For a merchant trader, Alhaji Kawu, the Tuesday weekly market was a forgone issue to him, as he fears for his life attending such days. “However, you can see today is market day and I came all the way from Dutsinma town to make some purchases.”