Bandits have taken over large parts of Isa Local Government Area in Sokoto State, appointing their own traditional rulers and settling disputes among local communities, according to Sharifu Kamarawa, the council’s chairman.
Speaking during a visit from the Minister of State for Defence on Thursday, Kamarawa painted a grim picture of banditry’s grip on his area, pleading for government intervention.
“Bandits now act as authorities in some parts of my local government, serving as both rulers and judges. They mediate disputes and wield power over our people, including in my own village, Kamarawa,” he said.
Kamarawa identified notorious bandit leaders like Bello Turji, Dan Bokolo, and Garso, who roam freely, terrorizing residents without opposition. He expressed deep frustration, noting that entire areas, including Gebe, Kamarawa, Arume, and Bafarawa, have become strongholds for criminal gangs.
“The bandits impose taxes and levies on our people at will,” the chairman lamented, stressing the urgent need for military action to reclaim these territories.
Kamarawa also warned of an impending food crisis, as farmlands in the affected areas remain inaccessible due to bandit activity. “Our people are peasant farmers, and thousands of hectares of farmland are now abandoned. If the government doesn’t act swiftly, the food supply in Isa will be severely threatened,” he added.
The chairman urged the government to deploy troops to restore order and liberate the communities trapped under bandit control. “Our people need to be free, to feel like Nigerians again,” he said.
His plea comes amid growing concerns about insecurity in Sokoto State, particularly in areas bordering Niger Republic.
