In Nasarawa State’s Keffi town, concerns have escalated among residents due to the menacing presence of the Yan Shara Cult group. Basically, when the phrase ‘Yan Shara’ is mentioned to those familiar with the Hausa language, it evokes the image of individuals engaged in the task of cleaning and sweeping. This particular group, primarily consisting of young men aged between 17 and 25, often undertake various menial jobs to sustain themselves, such as maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings and performing other similar tasks
At the Emir of Keffi’s palace, two military vehicles have been strategically positioned to ensure security. One is a regular pickup van used for transportation, while the other is a gun truck with a lone soldier constantly surveying the area for any potential threats.
The palace corridor serves as a temporary military camp for the soldiers, two personnel were observed resting on their camp beds, likely after keeping watch throughout the night. The military deployment is an uncommon sight at the royal palace, but the prevailing insecurity, fueled by the activities of the now deadly Yan Shara group, necessitated their presence to prevent any possible breach of the revered institution and its community.
Unlike in other northern cities where Yan Shara, known as “sweepers of dirt,” visit homes to earn a living by emptying dust bins, the Yan Shara Cult group in Keffi has taken on a menacing and deadly nature. Rather than clean the streets, they stain them with blood. These feared agents of death instill fear in the minds of the residents through indiscriminate acts of violence.
“They are young men between 17 and 18 years old who should ideally be in school under the supervision of teachers, parents, and guardians,” stated an official from a vigilante group. However, these young individuals have spiraled out of control, becoming a law unto themselves and daring anyone to challenge them. They move in large numbers, brandishing cudgels, machetes, sticks, and various other weapons, unleashing violence on people without provocation, sometimes even among themselves.
Investigations by LEADERSHIP Weekend have revealed that Yan Shara consists of two rival camps that have transformed into vicious cult groups over the years. These groups adopted the names of the areas or wards they reside in, namely Iya I and Iya II. The line separating these two areas is barely noticeable to visitors. For decades, the people from both areas have lived together, with some families sharing the same ancestry.
However, the actions of their sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons have created a growing divide, deepening with each violent clash unleashed by the two camps. These clashes occur frequently. El-Musatapha Abubakar, a teacher in one of the public primary schools in the ancient town, estimated the number of clashes at 15.
“Those are the ones I can remember,” he remarked. Each clash leaves a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The most recent clash, which took place from Tuesday night, May 30, to Wednesday, May 31, resulted in three deaths—two from the Iya I group and one from Iya II—according to the vigilante official, although conflicting statistics exist.
The violence is not limited to their own members; they direct their anger towards anyone or anything in their sight. By the time the dust settles, over a dozen persons can be reported injured, and approximately 15 vehicles may be damaged.
Idris Abubakar, who operates a kiosk across the street from the Shoho Kasuwa market, described such incidents as a routine occurrence. “They will bury their dead, and life continues,” he noted.
However, the head of administration at the Vigilante Group headquarters located behind the emir’s palace, Abdullahi Mahmud Aruwa, emphasised that the clash in May will be forever remembered by the people of the ancient city.
He stated that some individuals involved in the violence were handed over to the military.
The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the arrest of one of the gang leaders but withheld the identity, citing ongoing investigations.
The imposition of curfew
In response to the situation, the Council, led by chairman Muhammad Baba Shehu, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the city, condemning the nefarious activities of the groups.
The council also directed the closure of both public and private primary schools, issuing a communication to the area’s education secretary, signed by the chairman. The letter, dated Thursday, June 1, 2023, declared an immediate closure, suspending all academic activities until further notice.
Three weeks have passed since the directive was issued, and the schools remain closed while the curfew, although slightly modified, remains in effect. The council authority adjusted the curfew to be in place from 10 pm to 6 am, as opposed to the previous 6 am to 6 pm.
Abubakar noted that this disruption has significantly affected the academic calendar of both primary and secondary schools in the council.
The root causes of the crisis
Aruwa explained that the crisis has persisted and worsened over the past two decades. Initially, the two groups worked together harmoniously as young hunters venturing into the forests for sport.
He, however, said conflicts arose over the sharing of resources, leading to division and rivalry even when each group decided to operate independently. As the older generation retire, the crisis was passed on to the younger ones.
Aruwa added that community leaders and parents from both sides initially intervened to douse tensions. However, matters escalated when some parents openly supported and protected their children during the crises.
According to him, “The unresolved conflict from the past has now infiltrated our homes, leading to division and rivalry, despite each group deciding to go their separate ways. As the older generation retired, the crisis was passed on to the younger generation.
“Initially, community leaders and even parents from both sides would intervene to alleviate the tension. However, the situation escalated when some parents openly sided with their children, supporting them whenever conflicts arose.
“Today, when we attempt to make arrests after clashes, fathers often shield the suspects, who may then go on to cause further havoc later.”
A shoemaker in the Karofi area of the town, Aminu Mohammed, agreed that the crisis persisted due to the failure of stakeholders to take decisive action against the perpetrators.
He explained that even when the vigilante and security agencies made arrests, the suspects would be released the next day due to intervention from influential parents or stakeholders, including politicians who may have used them against opponents in the past.
Mohammed stated that the perpetrators are known within the communities, and their nefarious activities are tacitly encouraged.
According to him, “Even when vigilante and security agencies make an arrest, the suspect will be released the next day through intervention from the parents some of who are also influential, or by stakeholders especially politicians who may have used them against opponents in the past.
“Some of the perpetrators are known to the communities. They are youths whose parents we know; they lived amongst us but we encourage their nefarious activities. Some of us may not have been directly affected by the conflict now but we will later because this is how insurgency started, and excerpt we tackle it now, it will consume us later.
“They always seek assistance from their friends in places like Masaka, Mararaba, and Aso as well as other places.
They meet such acquaintances when they go to watch Debe (traditional Hausa wrestling), clubbing, and other pastimes.”
He warned that if not addressed promptly, the conflict could escalate and have far-reaching consequences, comparing it to how insurgency starts.
Imported support and looming fears
According to reports, the members of Yan Shara seek assistance from their acquaintances in places like Masaka, Mararaba, Aso, and other areas whenever they plan to attack their opponents. These connections are formed during events such as watching Debe (traditional Hausa wrestling), clubbing, and other social activities.
Many people within and outside the town share concerns that Keffi is sitting on a time bomb that could explode if drastic measures are not taken. The Yan Shara mayhem, occurring just a month after a bomb explosion in the town, is seen as a sign of what may come. In late 2022, Governor Abdullahi Sule had raised an alarm about the infiltration of suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP members into the state. Additionally, following the attack on the Kuje Correctional Center and the subsequent escape of numerous inmates, a prominent Boko Haram leader was apprehended in the state.
Since the incident, three more escapees from the facility have been nabbed at different locations in the state. Abubakar believed Yan Shara members could be willing recruits by insurgent leaders who may have already established a cell in the state.
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