The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to establish a military base in communities across Zamfara State that have been severely impacted by relentless bandit attacks.
This resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hassan Shinkafi, the lawmaker representing Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency. Shinkafi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), decried the worsening security crisis in the region, citing the alarming rate of killings, kidnappings, and destruction of livelihoods by armed groups.
While presenting the motion, Shinkafi acknowledged the proactive measures already implemented by the Zamfara State Government, including the establishment of a Security Trust Fund, the deployment of Community Protection Guards, and intelligence-sharing efforts. He also commended the logistical support provided to security agencies and the regular security council meetings aimed at addressing the crisis.
Despite these measures, he noted that bandits continue to terrorize communities, blocking access to farmlands, markets, and schools. The lawmaker lamented that over 40 villages had been devastated by attacks, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes, leaving many communities abandoned.
Shinkafi further expressed concerns over the withdrawal of military troops initially deployed to the affected areas, stating that their presence lasted only two weeks before they were pulled out. This, he said, created a vacuum that allowed bandit kingpins to regroup and resume their deadly activities against innocent civilians.
To address the escalating security challenges and restore peace, the lawmaker called for the immediate establishment of a permanent military base in strategic locations, including Magarya, Kurya, Kware, Dutsi, Mashema, Gurbin Bore, Boko, and Dole within the Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas. Following deliberations, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted the motion, urging the Federal Government to direct the military to establish a well-equipped security base in the affected communities.
Additionally, lawmakers called on security agencies to work in collaboration with the Zamfara State Government to strengthen counterinsurgency efforts. The House also mandated the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to provide urgent relief materials to displaced persons in the Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Katsina State Police Command has assured that efforts are ongoing to rescue students of the Federal University Dutsinma who were abducted by suspected bandits on Sunday morning.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed that four students were kidnapped when armed assailants stormed their residence in the Paris Quarters area behind the university at around 2:20 a.m. However, security operatives managed to rescue one of the abducted students, while efforts are underway to secure the release of the remaining three.
According to reports, the gunmen, armed with sophisticated weapons, infiltrated the area under the cover of darkness. Security operatives responded swiftly after receiving a distress call, but the attackers had already fled into the bush with their captives before reinforcement could arrive.
Dutsinma Local Government Area remains one of the security flashpoints in Katsina State, experiencing frequent attacks by criminal elements despite several intervention efforts by both state and federal authorities.
