The All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed with the governor of Zamfara, Bello Mohammed after it alleged that a governor from the northwest was behind the heightened cases of banditry, abductions and other violent crimes in the zone.
The APC urged security agencies to launch investigation into an intelligence report, which it claimed indicted the governor.
But the Zamfara state governor has since kicked back, stressing that, he dedicated the whole of his precious time and efforts in the last 100 hours to ensure the release of these innocent children was taken aback when immediately after their release.
He described the position of the APC as jaundiced perception and therefore sought to set the records straight.
APC position on Northwest crimes
APC deputy national publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, made an allegation on Thursday but did not name the governor and the state.
There are seven states in the Northwest and five of them are under the APC control. They are: Kaduna (Nasir El-Rufai); Kano (Abdullahi Ganduje); Katsina (Aminu Masari); Jigawa (Badaru Abubakar) and Kebbi (Atiku Bagudu).
The two PDP governors are Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara).
The APC also warned the opposition PDP to desist from politicising the abduction of schoolboys from Government Science Secondary School (GSSS) in Kankara, Kastina State by bandits.
Reacting to a protest organised by the PDP and some women at its Abuja National Headquarters, the APC accused the PDP of seeking political gains from insecurity.
According to the party, the increased spate of banditry in the Northwest was politically-motivated and not unconnected to the unnamed governor’s alleged sponsorship of banditry and other violent crimes in the zone.
The party’s spokesman said in a statement: “Our security agencies have intelligence reports linking one of the Northwest governors to collusion and sponsorship of violent and criminal activities of bandits. I won’t give details because of the sensitive and security nature of the issue.
“However, relevant security agencies must as a matter of urgency, investigate the report and determine its veracity. Human life is not what we should play political chess games with.
“We must shun enemies of the country including the PDP who seek political gains from issues of insecurity.
“Our security agencies must also be alert to plots to further destabilise the Northwest region and frustrate the quick and safe release of students abducted from the GSSS,” Nabena said.
Kidnapping for ransom and banditry have become a pain in neck of leaders in the Northwest.
Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar (III) decried the spate and concluded that nowhere was safe in the country.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Tukur Buratai also said that fleeing Boko Haram insurgents from the Northeast have become bandits in the Northwest.
Zamfara governor’s reaction
Zailani Bappa, Special Adviser, Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications to the Zamfara governor explained that the Governor Mohammed was not complicit in any way.
It is a known fact that Zamfara State under the APC was the worst hit in terms of banditry in the North-west until the coming of Governor Bello Mohammed on board. His peace initiatives, which is in tandem with proven records in history across the globe as a viable and necessary option to ending guerilla warfare and similar menace of its kind, is hated and rejected by those who fail or lack the capacity to implement it with honesty, resilience and tact.
Today, Zamfara state is more peaceful than most of its neighbours because Governor Bello Mohammed has been honest in the approach, a path which could have been the final solution to the problem the region is facing.
It is very uncharitable due political differences to attribute the semblance of peace enjoyed in Zamfara state to criminality of harbouring the bandits to terrorise neighbouring States. It is heart-warming to note that His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari is quite in tune with every step being taken by Governor Matawalle and has more than once, commended him for the measures he’s been taking to end banditry in the state.
Governor Bello Mohammed wishes to inform the General public that his “carrot and Stick” approach to dealing with the bandits has succeeded in the recent past by settling with those who accepted the deal and has dealt with the recalcitrant ones leading to the elimination of over 300 bandits in only two months. It is therefore, ignorance or mischief to attribute the Zamfara forests as safe haven for criminals. It is also an unfortunate and indirect indictment of the Nigerian Military which is in control of the Federal Government.
Governor Matawalle wishes to also call on all stake holders, especially those of the region, to join hands together and find a lasting solution to the problem at hand instead of the blame game which is totally diversionary and counter-productive.
