In the BBC Africa Eye documentary titled The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara, Abu Sanni, self confessed Bandit Kingpin claimed that kidnapping and banditry have become a big business in Nigeria in which everybody is gaining including the government.
He said, “Everyone is benefiting from terrorism in Nigeria, including the government, from top to bottom. The government get money, though, for our money, blood spill.”
The genesis of Zamfara banditry disaster may have originated due to rivalry between Hausa and Fulani communities in the state. The Bandits suggested that government was playing favoritism to Hausa community than their Fulani counterpart.
“How have the Fulani become so worthless in Nigeria? There is no veterinary hospital. We have nowhere for them(the cattle) to drink.
“Don’t cows have any value? Everyone needs meat. Everyone needs milk. Many Fulani have university degrees, the government never considers them.
“I swear, if 1,000 Hausas sit for an exam alongside a single Fulani man, they will pass all the Hausas and fail the Fulani man.”
Abu Sanni, the bandit warlord said, “When the rainy season ended, they sent the military after us. We decided to show the government they should not interfere in our problems. We went to Jangebe and took the students. We wanted to get the government angry.”
He claimed they requested N300 million for the ransomed to release the kidnapped JANGEBE school girls but they were given only N60 million.
“We demanded N300 million but after negotiations, N60 million was paid for their release.”
Another alleged bandit, Ado Aleru was recently turbaned by an Emir, as Sarkin Fulani in Zamfara, said “We only protest with guns. We know no journalists. We don’t know where to protest. Our protest is to take up arms and storm villages.” The emir was later suspended by the governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle.
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