The Goronyo Massacre And Insecurity In Sokoto State: The Need For Sokoto State Government To Step Up Its Efforts On Security

In my last article on insecurity in Sokoto state dated 20th September, 2021 titled ‘Kidnapping, Banditry and Insecurity in Sokoto State: The Challenges and Solutions, I did much as I can to not only bring to the fore, the brewing insecurity in Sokoto state but also made recommendations on how to stop further attacks. In the article under reference, the recommendations i made are aimed at stopping the march of the bandits into Sokoto state and tackling the spread of banditry and kidnapping in our dear Sokoto state. This is to curtail a possible Zamfaranisation of Sokoto state as bandits flee the heat from the military onslaught in Zamfara into neighbouring states particularly Sokoto.
In recommendation No. 5 of the article under reference, I specifically suggested the closure of ALL rural markets that are usually open to business on weekly basis. This of course includes the very popular Unguwar Lalle Market which is open to business every Friday and Goronyo Market which opens on Sundays. Alas! The Sokoto state government came up short by not closing markets but announcing the shutting down of mobile network services ONLY in 14 of the 23 local government areas of the state beginning 20th September 2021 just as the markets were left open leading to the massacre in Goronyo and Unguwar Lalle weekly markets on the 17th and 8th October 2021 respectively.
Sadly, our worst fears were confirmed last Sunday when 49 innocent traders were gruesomely murdered by criminal bandits at the Goronyo weekly market.
It is important at this point to pray that Allah (SWT) grants Aljanna Firdaus (paradise) to all those who lost their lives in this and other massacres. May the almighty Allah (SWT) give the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss Amin.
Perhaps, a simple announcement by the Sokoto state government that ALL weekly markets in Sokoto state are closed down would have saved the lives of these innocent traders who went to the market to source for a legitimate income and enable them put food on the table for their families. Other sister states such as Zamfara and Katsina have extended their measures against bandits beyond shutting down mobile network service to include closure of markets. Why not Sokoto? Why? Why? Why?
It beggars belief as to how the Sokoto state government came up short by not closing down markets to stop these killings and cut the supplying lines of these criminals. A market is a soft target for reprisals and a perfect pick out for bandits as it stands to record higher casualties. This is the more reason why the second measure to take against bandits after shutting down mobile network service is closing down markets. The third being cutting down fuel and other sources of food supplies.
This sad incident calls for sober reflection and reechoes the urgent need for the Sokoto state government to step up its game to safe guard life and property in our dear state. It raises questions as to why the Goronyo market was not closed down after the popular Unguwar Lalle market suffered similar fate on 8th October 2021 when 20 traders were killed. Unguwar Lalle market in Sabon Birni local government area is 58 kilometres and 57 minutes drive from Goronyo market. This close proximity should have aroused the mentality of any serious government to close down Goronyo market after the massacre at the Unguwar Lalle market. After the massacre at Unguwar Lalle, any discerning mind will know that the attack at Goronyo market is a disaster waiting to happen.
As indigenes of Sokoto state, it behoves on all of us to continue to make meaningful contributions towards stopping the march of the bandits not only in Sokoto but the entire North-West political zone and our dear country Nigeria. The bandits are plotting to Talibanise the entire North-West geopolitical zone and something must be done to stop the march of the bandits. This requires a synergy amongst the 7 state governors in the North-West geopolitical zone. The Lagos State government recently donated crime-fighting equipment including: 150 double cabin vehicles, 30 saloon patrol vehicles, 1000 ballistic vests, 1000 ballistic helmets, 1000 handheld police radios/walkie talkies and 100 security patrol bikes, two Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), four high capacity troop carriers, two anti-riot water cannon vehicles. If the Lagos State government can do this, why can’t our 7 governors in the North-West pool resources together and fight insecurity? It is clear that the menace of banditry and terrorism cannot be won individually. Only a collective action by our governors in the 7 North-Western states can stem the tide of insecurity currently threatening to envelope the entire North-West geopolitical zone.
Perhaps the authorities need to be reminded that constructive criticisms are essential ingredients of democracy. Any government that is averse to criticism is not worth its name.
It is puzzling that those who are averse to criticism normally find comfort to criticise others.
Security should not be politicised under any guise just as it is the irreducible minimum for any government whether at the federal or state levels. As a matter of fact, section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 constitution (as altered) is clear, explicit and unambiguous that the provision of security to life and property should be the primary purpose of government. Of course, our political leaders at all levels have sworn by the holy Quran (and Bible) to uphold the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
Already, there are justifiable fears that the Fulani bandits now control about 90% of the eastern part of Sokoto state. It is noteworthy that some of these criminals are foreigners who crossed borders to engage in kidnapping and enjoy ‘free money’ in Nigeria.
These criminals have now constituted themselves into an unofficial authority in most of the eastern senatorial zone in Sokoto state. They control the farms, set up make-shift courts, collect taxes from residents and even adjudicate on judicial matters because most of the courts and police stations are dysfunctional.
The Sokoto state government needs to be proactive and more sensitive in order to break the back of the criminal bandits. In this regard, the following measures are recommended (some of these measures have been recommended in my last article on this subject a month ago):
1: CLOSE DOWN ALL WEEKLY MARKETS IN THE STATE.
2. DECLARE ALL BANDITS, INFORMANTS  AND THEIR SPONSORS ‘PERSONA NON-GRATA’ AND SISSUE A WEEK’S ULTIMATUM TO ALL BANDITS TO LEAVE SOKOTO STATE AND GO BACK TO   THEIR COUNTRIES. MOST OF THEM ARE NOT NIGERIANS.
3. EXTEND BLOCKAGE OF  MOBILE PHONE LINES TO ALL PARTS OF THE STATE FOR 3 WEEKS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE
4. LEGISLATION: Kidnapping, banditry and related offences fall under state law so the Sokoto state house of assembly should enact laws to make kidnapping punishable by hanging. Recently, the Niger state house of assembly passed a law which stipulates death by hanging for anyone convicted of kidnapping, giving out information to kidnappers, banditry and related activities.
5. CLOSE ALL FUEL STATIONS IN THE AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
6. BAN THE SALE OF MOTORCYCLES AND USE OF SUCH IN THE AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS.
7. STOP CATTLE MOVEMENT IN & OUT OF THE STATE.
DR ABUBAKAR ALKALI
(Convener, Movement for a New Nigeria MNN).
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