Banditry: Governor Idris, Kebbi Needs Community Guards Now
By Habibu Bawa
The recent news from Kebbi State, known as the Land of Equity, is gory. In Eastern Sokoto, a respected community leader in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government was kidnapped and murdered in cold blood. Just a few days later, another leader in Sakaba Local Government was taken captive.
The once peaceful and agrarian state is now plagued by bandits, kidnappers, robbers, vandals, and rustlers, while the federal security architecture is overworked and outnumbered.
Like many other states in Northwest and North Central Nigeria, Kebbi has witnessed several insecurity; the farmer-herder conflicts which escalated into violent clashes and pervasive unrest, this, resulted into destabilizing communities and the local economy.
Meanwhile,, unlike many states in Nigeria, some meaning part of them have adopted community guards to support and complement federal security with manpower, intelligence, and grassroots support, Kebbi on the other hand lagging behind.
The escalation of banditry can be attributed to complex factors, including climate change and the quest for livelihood. Poor grassroots policing and insufficient security forces are also significant contributors.
Nigeria, with an estimated population of over 200 million, has only 371,800 police and 230,000 military personnel, totaling about 600,000 personnel nationwide, this number is less expected to manned this large figure properly .
The Inspector Genera of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, noted in one in a forum that Nigeria needs an additional 200,000 police personnel for effective policing.
Similarly, the Civilian Joint Task Force used in Borno, which serves as community guards comprise local hunters, retired security personnel, and active and passive volunteers familiar with local routes, terrain, culture, language, habits, and dynamics is yielding result in connecting the insurgent in that region.
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Their intimate knowledge and regular presence enable them to identify suspicious individuals swiftly, as they protect their families, land, and relatives.
In 2021, when bandits outnumbered police officers in Sakaba Local Government and killed the Divisional Police Officer, I advocated for a Community Vigilante to work with Security Agencies for synergy and grassroots information gathering. The situation in villages along state boundaries requires urgent attention and decisive actions.
Studies by the Hudson Institute and the Global Observatory reveal that banditry thrives due to insufficient government presence, translating to inadequate manpower.
More importantly, regions have established security measures; Southwestern states have Amotekun, Southeastern states established Eastern Security Network, the Northeast uses Civilian Joint Task Force, Kano has Hisba and KAROTA, Sokoto has marshals, while Zamfara and Katsina have Community Guards.
A legislative framework is necessary to govern the activities and leadership of the Kebbi State Community Guards. Community Guards play a vital role in community cohesion, fostering solidarity and heroism among residents facing common threats. By working together, communities protect themselves and cultivate unity and collective responsibility.
To address insecurity effectively, community guards are expected to provide support, intelligence, and complement federal security with manpower, without replacing federal security or serving as state police. Training and resources are essential to enhance their capabilities. Additionally, addressing root causes of insecurity, prohibiting ransom payments, and blocking firearms supply to bandits are crucial. Investing in education, healthcare, and industrialization will mitigate socioeconomic factors fueling banditry.
Moreover, local problems require local solutions. Community guards offer a promising avenue for enhancing security and fostering community resilience in Northwestern Nigeria. However, the government must identify and eliminate bandit sponsors, sympathizers, negotiators, advisers, informants, and trainers, making community guards an effective solution.
Habibu Bawa, a fellow of the PR Nigeria Young Communication Fellowship, can be reached at [email protected].
