BANDITRY: Matters arising from Birnin-Gwari peace deal
Thursday, November 28th, 2024 was a significant milestone to the people of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna as Governor Uba Sani and the Office of the National Security Adviser reached a deal to end a ten year escalation of security situation and tension in the area.
From 2014 on the heights of the general elections of 2015, Birnin-Gwari has been in the spotlight of insecurity ranging from cuttle wrestling, Kidnapping and abductions in the area. The General area became an epicenter of kidnapping and mass abductions that were cruelly ushered into the enclaves of bandits in Kamuku forest and adjoining Kuyanbana forest in neighbouring Zamfara State notorious red zones of terrorism of Dansadau, Munhaye, Dangulbi, Mutumji and Bagega. Also, the western fronts of banditry in Birnin-Gwari general area of Randagi-Kimbi and Wamba and Kagara in Niger State as well as Kakangi and Katakaki in Birnin-Gwari which extended to Mashigi and Bena of Kebbi State became an ungoverned space for non state actors.
The recent peace deal was facilitated by Governor Uba Sani and the Office of the National Security Adviser through a renowned Islamic cleric, Sheik Assadus Sunnah, the Emir of Birnin-Gwari, Representative of bandits kingpins, Yellow Jambros, Late Ali Kaoje and Dogo Gide factions is indeed significant to the desire of both actors and citizens to adopt non-kinetic approach to solve the lingering insecurity in Birnin-Gwari general area.
With a peace deal at hand and reopening of the markets a free movement of people and social activities will eventually heal the wound of mistrust, agony and tension.
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For the first time in ten years, Kara Livestock Market in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area Reopens. Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State officially reopened the Kara Livestock Market in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, closed for over a decade due to security concerns.The Governor and other stakeholders’ efforts to facilitate a peace agreement between the Fulani community and the residents of Birnin Gwari, which aims to restore peace in the area is commendable.
Beyond the fanfare of the truce with repentant bandits in Birnin-Gwari, the security situation in the area and indeed the antecedents of terrorists ideology of Lukurawa poised another wave of insecurity in Birnin-Gwari and adjoining forests of Zamfara and Niger State particularly Alawa forest.
At the moment, the security situation in Birnin-Gwari, poses a significant threat to national and food security. The imminent infiltration of Lakurawas terrorists with extremist ideology into Kamuku forest from Kuyanbana forest in Zamfara State and Mashigi-Bena enclave, Kebbi State demands swift action to buffer security in our area.
The ANSARU, a splinter group aligned with ISWAP, has a strong presence in Eastern Birnin-Gwari towns, including ungoverned areas of Unguwar Nacibi, Kwasa-Kwasa, Gobirawa, Old Kuyello, Yankan Dutse, Old Kazage, Damari, Saulawa, Old Birnin-Gwari and Janbirni hills. The ANSARU are gradually adjudicating in all matters in these areas and enticing people with money and food to join the group.
Despite all these concerns, the peace deal and laying down of arms by the bandits in exchange for fresh air of peace and tranquility will eventually rejuvenate economic activities, Agricultural re vibration and social inclusion amongst once antagonist ethnic groups.
As we celebrate a sign of relief with the peace deal in Birnin-Gwari, efforts should be made by all stakeholders to safeguard it. In the same vein, there is the need to be cautious and steadfast on an impending struggle for the control of the natural resources beneath Birnin-Gwari general area by the political gladiators ( now feudal lords), the repentant bandits and the inhabitants of the area.
Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris ( Danmasanin Birnin-Gwari), is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja
