The Zamfara North Progressive Movement said it was alarmed by the spate of armed banditry, killing of innocent citizens and kidnapping for ransom in Zamfara State and urged the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the State’s Police Command to expedite action in the investigation and prosecution of suspects to serve as a deterrence to others who may wish to commit such heinous crimes against humanity.
It also called on the state governor, Dauda Lawal, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure justice for the victims of kidnapping.
In a statement by the chairman, Zamfara North Progressive Movement, Ahmed Abubakar Birane, he said the group was particularly worried by the delay in the investigation and prosecution of those detained or granted bail in the abduction of a district head in the State, Alhaji Ibrahim Sarkin Fada Kasuwar Daji, by armed bandits.
He said the district head was in captivity for more than six months and was released after his son, a former State House of Assembly member, allegedly paid ransom.
He said that the investigation started after an armed bandit was arrested by security agents and in the course of interrogation in police custody, the bandit mentioned one suspect from Kaura Namoda where armed bandits frequently attacked innocent people, kidnapped them for ransom, kill others and rustle cattle in Kaura town and environs.
He said armed bandits activities were extended to Sakajiki village, Kurya Madaro town, and Kasuwar Daji town where the District Head, Ibrahim Sarkin Kasuwdaji was kidnapped and ransom paid for his release from bandits’ captivity.
He said after the arrest of an armed bandit, he further revealed that he collaborated with a serving member of Zamfara State House of Assembly to coordinate the abduction of the father of the former member of the State House of Assembly, with the intention to intimidate him and harass the family to distance themselves from the politics of Kauru Namoda South completely. The statement added that after the release of his father, the former lawmaker moved out of Kasuwdaji for fear of being kidnapped or killed by armed bandits.
He said that the serving member of the State House of Assembly was arrested and detained by the State CID in Zamfara State Police Command and was later granted bail by the police despite strong opposition as he and his political associates might interfere with ongoing investigation.
The statement claimed that the kidnap of the father of the former member of the State House of Assembly was politically motivated.
The group also alleged that there were more attacks at Kasuwar Daji town.
He said the state financial secretary of APC and former state chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were abducted by bandits and spent months in captivity, adding that they were released after alleged payment of ransom.
“We call on Police authorities not to spare anybody found wanting in the course of investigation no matter how highly placed. We demand the revoke of the bail granted the member State House of Assembly until investigation is completed. Banditry and kidnapping are serious offences. It is inappropriate to release anybody allegedly involved in kidnapping because of his political affiliation.
“We also appeal to Governor Dauda Lawal and the Inspector General of Police to wade into the matter and ensure that the perpetrators of this crime should face the full weight of the law.
“The good people of Zamfara State want peace and security to enable them continue their lawful business. As a progressive movement, we demand justice and safety of citizens in Zamfara State. We support the government and security agents in the fight against banditry, insurgency, terrorism and kidnapping for ransom or politics,” the statement read in part.
