The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane has described banditry as an organized crime commonly perpetrated in rural areas.
Ahmed Matane disclosed this at a One Day Symposium on Banditry and Insecurity in Niger State organized by the Centre for Historical Research and Documentation, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
The SSG who was the Guest Speaker at the occasion traced banditry to North-Western Nigeria, specifically Zamfara State during the Farmers-Herders clashes which according to him, “degenerated to the present day abysmal state of insecurity”.
The Guest Speaker attributed banditry to several factors including climate change, non-agricultural use of land, the porous nature of Nigeria’s border, undelineated States borders, poverty, illiteracy and unemployment and proliferation of small arms and light weapons among several others.
He stressed the need for coordinated and sustained joint security operations, strict surveillance on the proliferation of weapons, full deployment of ICT-Drones, Trackers, Communication systems, the establishment of community policing to stem the tide of banditry.
Ahmed Matane revealed that the activities of informants who share intelligence with the bandits on the movement of their targets has aggravated the present state of insecurity particularly in some parts of the State, emphasizing that joint security operations must be mobilized and sustained to dislodged banditry and other criminality in the state.
Earlier in his presentation, the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Isah Kawu also described banditry as a rural robbery that is gory, pointing out that the danger it poses is worrisome and alarming.
Hon. Kawu condemned in strong terms the idea of negotiating with bandits, adding that the decision to reject the idea of negotiating with bandits was a smart and commendable one.
The Chairman of the occasion and Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Abubakar Baba Aliyu stated that the persistent influx of armed bandits and criminal elements from neighbouring States led to the steady rise of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustlings and other criminality in the State.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Host and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Abu-Kasim Adamu described the theme of the symposium as apt and timely, adding that the event would not have come at a time better than now.
The Secretary to the State Government was conducted round some ongoing projects at the University by the Vice-Chancellor and other Principal Officers where he expressed appreciation with the level of work.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of published books and souvenirs to some invited dignitaries.
