Bandits Do Not Only Kill, They Now Make Laws In Northern Nigeria

‘Bandits and Insurgents Now Making Laws in Some Communities’

Dambazau, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2008 to 2010, painted a grim picture of the region’s deteriorating security landscape, noting that the crisis has mutated into deadlier forms over the past two decades.

“People were killed in Katsina, Borno, Zamfara and Kano mosques. The North has suffered from herders-farmers clashes, terrorism and banditry,” he said.

“We have gotten to a situation where bandits and insurgents have taken some of our communities, taxing and making laws for them.”

The retired general lamented the devastating social impact of the violence, including mass killings, displacement, loss of livelihoods, and the rise in widows and orphans.

“Thousands have been killed and millions displaced. The number of widows and orphans has increased, and farmers have lost farms while herders’ cattle have been rustled without action from state actors,” he said.

Calls for Economic Reform and Stronger Governance

Dambazau urged northern state governments to restructure governance and economic systems as part of a comprehensive response to insecurity.

He recommended the creation of a Ministry of Mineral Resources across northern states to harness local natural deposits and reduce dependence on federal allocations.

He argued that boosting internal revenue generation through mineral development and agriculture is key to tackling poverty, which he identified as a major driver of insecurity.

He also called for:

Restoration of traditional authority structures
Revitalisation of agriculture
Reduction of out-of-school children
Genuine social inclusion

Dambazau noted that over 70% of Nigerians currently trapped in poverty as a result of insecurity are from the northern region.

“Religious extremism is a major threat to security in northern Nigeria and has led groups like Boko Haram, Lakurawa terrorists and bandits to unleash violence on the people,” he warned.

Leaders Call for Collective Action

Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, stressed that restoring peace requires collective effort, honest dialogue and unity of purpose.

“Security is everybody’s responsibility. We need to come together to talk with each other on how to solve this problem,” the Sultan said.

“We were not like this before. Nigeria was not what it is today. We can solve the problem by coming together, having understanding, and implementing the decisions we reach to achieve peace.”

Governors Advocate Root-Cause Approach

In his remarks, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule said the North must confront the root causes of insecurity rather than reacting to attacks.

“Insecurity in the North West is worrisome. The summit should look at the root cause of it. It may be due to climate change and other issues,” he said.

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris commended the summit, describing it as a timely platform to examine the region’s escalating security challenges and develop workable, long-term solutions.

He emphasised that northern leaders must unite behind a common strategy to restore peace and stability.