The Chairman of Isa Local Government Area in Sokoto State, Sharifu Kamarawa, has revealed that bandits continue to assert control over some communities by appointing and deposing village heads.
He made this known during a visit from the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who toured affected areas in Isa, Sabon Birni, and Goronyo local governments.
Speaking on Thursday, Kamarawa disclosed that notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, leads the group responsible for these actions in the eastern part of Isa.
He, therefore, called for military intervention to restore peace.
“Here in Isa town, we are living peacefully. The problem is in the eastern part of Isa. There are places that are still under the control of bandits. They appoint and depose village heads there,” Kamarawa said.
He appealed for the reinstatement of a military camp in Kagara, noting that its previous presence had brought relative peace to the area. “We used to have camped there before it was relocated. Then there was relative peace in those places. So we want the camp back,” he added.
Kamarawa also mentioned that since the death of notorious bandit leader Halilu Sububu about a month ago, there has been a noticeable reduction in attacks, with previously abandoned roads now being used again.
In response, Minister Matawalle assured the communities that President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing insecurity in the North. “The President also directed me to ensure militarisation of all the danger areas in the state,” he said.
Matawalle also announced plans to establish a military base at Gundumi to patrol the long-closed Gundumi-Marnona road, marking a critical step towards restoring safety in the region.
