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Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands - Politics - Nairaland

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Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by dre11(m): 6:46pm On Feb 26, 2021
Write it down,” he said. “Leader of the terrorists operating on the northern flank,” Halilu, middle-aged, fair-skinned commander of some 1,000 bandits located in...



By Abdulaziz Abdulaziz

“Write it down,” he said. “Leader of the terrorists operating on the northern flank,” Halilu, middle-aged, fair-skinned commander of some 1,000 bandits located in Zamfara State told Daily Trust reporter.

He wanted to be properly introduced, in what was his first encounter with journalists.

“Kachalla Halilu Sububu Seno, leader of all terrorists. He is the leader,” a lieutenant slinging an AK-47 rifle emphasised in smattering English. Halilu had detailed him to dictate to the reporter.

It was in the middle of nowhere, in the afternoon of Monday, February 22.

In what is the first media access, Daily Trust had an on-the-spot interview with some of the most vicious bandits operating in the country’s far northern corner, close to the border with Niger Republic.

The trip was an independent undercover that had no official or security involvement.

The rendezvous was the western part of Shinkafi, in Zamfara State. The bandits’ hideout is the expansive Sububu Forest known for its infestation with well-armed militants who for years terrorised communities in Zamfara’s Shinkafi, Zurmi, Maradun, Maru and Talata Mafara local governments.

From the same place, and adjoining forests, armed men on motorcycles also launch attacks and kidnap villagers and travellers in Sabon Birni, Rabah and Isa local governments in Sokoto State. The bandits also access local governments in Katsina like Jibia, Sabuwa, Faskari, Dandume, among others.

Yet, from the same forest, as the bandits told Daily Trust, they could connect to places like Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and southern Nigeria.

To the north, Sububu also connects to places as far-flung as the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Cameroon and Chad. Typical of the terrain, Sububu Forest is thin, with mostly dry arid shrubs and scant trees.

The gang, called locally as daba, in Hausa, visited by our reporter is headed by Halilu; a notorious middle-aged Fulani man. He is called Kachalla, an honorific for gang leaders among the bandits.

Halilu was not just a kachalla. He is among the most dreaded bandits anywhere in Nigeria. Having spent years building an army of young men and stockpile of weapons, he is said to be well connected, making him still invincible despite the rise of other dreaded bandits notably Kachalla Turji in nearby Kagara forest, and Jumo Smoli who leads another gang sheltering around the Bakalori River.

Locals in both Gusau and Shinkafi spoke about Halilu with some dread. He is infamous for his ruthlessness and shrewd mien.

Two years ago, a peace deal was struck between Halilu’s gang and communities in Shinkafi, leading to relative peace in the area.

Shinkafi’s gain is however other communities’ woes. While Halilu provides security for Shinkafi area, warding off marauding thieves, the arrangement, according to locals, provided Halilu and his gang a haven from where they launch attacks on other places.

In praising the current peace accord in Zamfara State, Halilu told Daily Trust that for two years he and his men have not been attacked, except in isolated negligible incidents.


Shadowy, deadly Shehu Rekep

While Halilu is a household name among bandits, villagers and security agents in Zamfara and beyond, Shehu Rekep is known by a few. Yet, those who know him call him the most important person in the gruesome trade.

A source familiar with Rekep said the lanky man in his forties was among the first to introduce armed banditry in Northern Nigeria.

Shehu Rekep himself confirmed his long association with guns, which is evident from some scars and galls in his right hand. He first picked up arms, he said, some 21 years ago and has since then traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria and most of the countries neighbouring it.

Thus, Rekep’s influence transcends the shores of Nigeria, with deep links with fellow bandits in neighbouring French-speaking countries.

“From here I can show you routes that you can go to Mali or Senegal. I can give you directions to Burkina (Faso), or Cameroon or Central Africa.


The roots

In the interview conducted in Hausa, Rekep attributed the uprising by the Fulani bandits to long-term neglect by successive governments especially since the return to democracy.

“The reason is neglect. We have been neglected. This country is a rich nation with natural resources but we (the Fulani) have not been educated, we are not protected, we get killed but we’re always reported as the aggressors. We are never considered in anything; we only get killed.

“Just look around, these are people bearing arms and they have nothing to do. Many of them have lost their loved ones, parents of some of them have been killed,” he said.

He said years of encroachment into grazing areas and foreign reserves, as well as confiscation of cattle by security agents and members of local vigilante groups, have rendered most Fulani in the forests poor.

“We are deprived of keeping cattle because of lack of grazing areas. They have taken over the grazing areas, even the grazing routes are no longer there. Soldiers would take over (our) cattle, vigilante would confiscate and gunmen would rustle. We have been rendered poor.”


Demands and past peace pacts

Rekep said for the Fulani to lay down their arms, the government would have to roll back the alleged injustice and neglect and treat them like every other Nigerian.

“What we demand is that the way they give jobs to their children and enrol the young ones in schools, we should be treated the same way. The Hausa, Yoruba and the Fulani should be treated equally,” he said.

The bandits’ leader alleged that government refused to honour agreements reached during previous peace pacts.

Daily Trust reports that the previous government in Zamfara State entered into a peace pact with the bandits on two occasions which however collapsed.

“There was a peace accord and we stated our grievances and what should be done, but we were abandoned.

“You have asked for an armistice and that was agreed but you left that person in the forest with a gun and nothing to substitute. What do you expect?

How do you want that person to survive? All the promises made to us were fulfilled,” he stated.

“The people you see here, some have spent up to 10 years away from their homes. They are only in the forests with guns. You say you have made peace with him but left him in the bush with a gun and ammunition. What do you expect from him?”


‘Governors can’t address security challenge’

Tackling the ravaging menace of banditry in parts of northern Nigeria cannot be accomplished by governors from the affected states, he said.

According to him, the problem of rural banditry, in which his Fulani stock is a major factor, is one that could not be put out through the use of arms.

Rekep said the Nigerian security forces do not have the capacity and wherewithal to defeat the bandits who, he said, are in their thousands and located all over the country.

He said people are being killed daily because of the availability of arms and ammunition in the hands of civilians and security forces.

“There is no day that someone is not killed between Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, Sokoto and Katsina,” he said.

According to him, the killings affect all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.

“There is no tribe that is not affected. Bandits kill, soldiers kill, and vigilantes kill too. Anyone you see with a gun what he does is kill. Every day people get killed. You may not know but if I were to tell you the situation of things in this country you will cry. Even the president will cry.”

He said addressing the agitations of the armed bandits would require direct participation of the president.

“This issue is beyond any governor. Even the president himself if he knows the true situation in the forests and the condition people find themselves in as a result there is no way he would have left this responsibility to the governors or any individual. This problem cannot be surmounted by a governor, even the president would have to seek help from other countries to tackle the problem,” Rekep said.

Justifying why President Buhari should lead the search for peace, the bandits’ leader said since the president toured the country during campaigns there was no reason why he should not do the same in finding a solution to the problem of the rural banditry.

“When he was campaigning he travelled all over, why would he not do it now? He does not take these peace talks seriously and everyday people are being killed,” he said.
https://dailytrust.com/in-rare-access-to-enclave-bandits-speak-on-ravaging-insecurity

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by RainOnMe: 6:47pm On Feb 26, 2021
cool
Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by saaron(m): 6:58pm On Feb 26, 2021
Fulani terrorists are not criminals. - Sheik Gumi.
If not for fulani aliens in the country, Nigeria will be dragging muscle with Asian tigers in economic and infrastructural development. Like viruses, they destroy everything and anything in their path. The earlier we do away with these savages, the better for our future.
Fulanis, merchants of terrorism are the bane of Nigeria's backwardness and underdevelopment.

85 Likes 7 Shares

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by saaron(m): 7:17pm On Feb 26, 2021
Late Buhari's family, the impostor parading himself as president and all members of the fulani regime will pay for bringing and stationing fulani terrorists in forests all over Nigeria for 2015 presidential elections.
Mark my words, these fulani murderers in power will pay with their entire generation.

46 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by LokoH(m): 7:18pm On Feb 26, 2021
Fulani neglected and government failed to educate them. Now FG should get assistance from other corn trees to address the issue. Oya nah; China over to you, borrow us Moni again

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Broken2020: 4:14am On Feb 27, 2021
Does these animals expect the government to be chasing them up and down like straying dogs and be forced to stay in class ?

They said they were born to live like animals in the forest so what are they saying about education and neglect?

Dem never talk wetin dey worry dem

17 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by alfredo4u(m): 4:14am On Feb 27, 2021
I sorry sorry ohhhh

I sorry for Nigeria....





Pls� who have the full album?
Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by izzou(m): 4:14am On Feb 27, 2021
angry
Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Jossyroyal1: 4:15am On Feb 27, 2021
The first time a wise man told me Buhari imported Herdmens from Mali and Niger to help him unsettle this country should he lose the election was 6 years ago. I didn't belive then..

These guys after the election refuse to return to their respective improvise countries as they have tasted influence, power and money.

They decided to enter the Bush and start kidnapping, robbing, killing, maiming and raping.

Imagine the effontary of this criminals because the government of the day is a sympatizer and an enabler

Mr. Buhari wanted power by all means so what has he achieved with this power. I mean how can a human being be this power drunk just wanting to remain on top doing nothing??

The Monsters that the Norths are creating will first consume them. No matter what, the North will first feel the heat of before other regions.

Everyone fortify your region. As you have heard amunitions are easily accessible in the North like you are going to buy bread and butter. There is nothing like one Nigeria.

The formula is go, kidnap or abduct people, government pay huge ransom, they acquire more sophisticated weapons and cause more harm invariable breeding and empowering bandits more to so get more stronger and spread their tentacles to enable them capture or conquer more ground.

Idiots and non entities

53 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by AroleOduduwa2: 4:18am On Feb 27, 2021
We know your game plan all this while, the north in collaboration with this terror group are holding the rest of the country hostage. Billions will be released for the exchange of this kids and in another 6 months another set of school kids will be kidnapped.

4 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by chukwuibuipob: 4:18am On Feb 27, 2021
sad we understand their script well.Gov Matawalle,Whatever his useless name sad,MohamMAD of Bauchi are behind these unrest,banditry/terrorist cross country

4 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by midolian(m): 4:19am On Feb 27, 2021
Chai

Nigeria own don finish reach this level?

2 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Gondonu: 4:19am On Feb 27, 2021
shocked Criminals now boldly addressing Nigerians more boldly than even the president? Nigeria is being ruled by terrorists.Buhari is a complete mess.

12 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Dozie32(m): 4:19am On Feb 27, 2021
If you guys want, do anything to your people. We don't care(Igbo). But make una no craze enter Igbo land(Biafran land).

10 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by brio1408: 4:20am On Feb 27, 2021
To me, the definition of Democracy to these people is " Banditry of the people, for the people and by the people"

3 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by DenreleDave(m): 4:20am On Feb 27, 2021
It is finished

1 Like

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by whirlwind7(m): 4:21am On Feb 27, 2021
Keep pushing.
Let them keep pushing. There's free oil money and the monies Buhari has been borrowing all over.
I just hope that the south (especially SE) will never accept to pay part of these loans the locusts from the North have wasted.

Note how the bandit leader is demanding that Hausa Fulani and Yoruba must be treated the same.
They don't want to leave their wifely tribes behind. cheesy cheesy

1 Like

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by gabazin080(m): 4:22am On Feb 27, 2021
we are finished
Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by danietohbadt(m): 4:22am On Feb 27, 2021
Daily trust had an on-the-spot interview with terrorists, but the Nigeria Army is still trying to locate the said terrorists in the middle of nowhere.


wahala be like Naija police and army

10 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by gabazin080(m): 4:23am On Feb 27, 2021
kidnappings is the new hustle

1 Like

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Broken2020: 4:23am On Feb 27, 2021
AroleOduduwa2:
We know your game plan all this while, the north in collaboration with this terror group are holding the rest of the country hostage. Billions will be released for the exchange of this kids and in another 6 months another set of school kids will be kidnapped.

6 Months? Bro within 3 weeks they will kidnap again and the Fulani government will give them more billions
Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Adavizesunday: 4:24am On Feb 27, 2021
North Northern people, who do u guys want to distroy nigeria for us nah
Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Jaabioro(m): 4:26am On Feb 27, 2021
Yet Nigeria army cannot locate them,we needed to reintroduce elementary geography..forest and bush are not the same thing.savannah and mangroves are different.The bandits were in an open bush.

2 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by HeadShot: 4:26am On Feb 27, 2021
Buhari boys talking about neglect....

When fulani occupies all the juicy positions in the country....

Tell me something new.... No way to justify terrorism and Buhari failure...

APc have failed woefully...
Buhari is a disgrace to all that is sane

They should keep there madness up North... My take

3 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by obembet(f): 4:27am On Feb 27, 2021
Seriously bandit has become profitable business now. I think I understand why some Northerner governor said that they have discovered thier oilwell. grin


Let wait and hear from our minister

3 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Judolisco(m): 4:28am On Feb 27, 2021
They are complaining about neglect and lack of education... The same people said they don't want western education... Jonathan built almajiri schools for dem they didn't attend dem say na jihad dem want... Now ak47 is something that's available like bread in their region.... Na d small innocent children wey dem dey kidnap inside dis cold I dey pity o.

3 Likes

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by BruncleZuma: 4:29am On Feb 27, 2021
grin grin grin grin

Everybody nah gangster till dem end up for news as corpse.
Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Silvershadow81(m): 4:31am On Feb 27, 2021
Wao!! Cant believe what I read or hear on daily matters arising in this country, really getting scary and worst, I just hope this issues will not spill into another huge crisis for the country, all I just think of now is how to escape with my kids to a decent and safer countryside undecided
Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by Ipisi(m): 4:32am On Feb 27, 2021
Okay

The failure of lifeless Buhari to control and tame these terrorist he nurtured will consume him and the entire north.


Good riddance to bad rubbish...

Nonsense and dirty ingredients

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Zamfara Bandits Leader, Halilu Speaks On Ravaging Insecurity Make Demands by jaxxy(m): 4:32am On Feb 27, 2021
Hmmm, what I see here are very smart bandits who are tired of poverty and joblessness is the North. They now want a better life for themselves and families. Banditry only became an option because they where poor and jobless and had no other alternative.

Give these Fulani jobs, housing, education and opportunities and they will do better or are Atiku and el rufai not Fulani? They are tired of poverty. grin

They are quite different from bokoharam and I think government should listen them and act. Engage them meaningfully and banditry will end or atleast reduce to a minimum. They just a by product of neglect and poverty characteristic with the clueless Apc government.

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