75,003 Lives Lost To Banditry In Northwest – Prof Mohammad

Not fewer than 75,003 people are said to have been killed in banditry attacks between 2018 and 2021 across the northwest states of Nigeria.

This was revealed by Prof Abubakar Saddique Mohammad at the inaugural lecture organised for the Katsina State governor-elect, Dr Umar Dikko Radda and his Deputy, Faroq Lawal Jobe, as part of activities for the May 29th transition.

He said the activities of banditry within the period under review has sacked 682 villages and towns and caused residents to flee to neighbouring states, adding that 13,838 cattle, 11,088 sheep, and goats including  2244 motorcycles were stolen as a result of widespread armed banditry.

“In addition to muddling up the situation of insecurity in the country, it has exacerbated forced migration and displacement, food insecurity, cattle rustling, destruction of property, general humanitarian crises, and death. Between 2018 and 2021, an estimated 7,5003 lives were lost to the banditry, while nearly one million have been displaced from 798 communities in different towns and villages in the states.

“According to reports an upward of 50,0004 Nigerians were reportedly taking refuge in the Niger Republic, at the peak of the conflict”, he said.

Mohammad in his paper presentation titled ‘Challenges of Leadership and good governance in Experiences and contemporary challenges also posited that Nigeria is still in quest of a leader that would make a difference in curtailing the multi-sectoral issues confronting the nation since President Muhammadu Buhari who recognised the issues in the 80s and was elected to serve the country for 8 years but failed.