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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt new and more effective strategies to curb the ongoing killings and worsening banditry in Zamfara State and other parts of the country.

This resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on”The Killing,  Kidnapping and Imposition of N100 Million raxBy Bandits Inflicted on the People of Keta, Bilbis, Kwaren Ganuwa and Danjiga Wards of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, moved by Rep. Kabiru Amadu Mai-Palace, member representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, on Tuesday at plenary.

Presenting the motion, Rep. Amadu stressed that the persistent security challenges in Zamfara and across Nigeria demonstrate that efforts to protect citizens remain grossly inadequate, leaving many unable to go about their daily lives safely.

He informed the House that heavily armed bandits recently launched coordinated attacks in parts of Zamfara, killing more than ten people, abducting about 130 residents, and imposing a levy of approximately N100 million on already vulnerable communities.

The lawmaker added that the attackers operated with alarming freedom, moving from one community to another on motorcycles, often in pairs or groups of three, carrying out their activities over a period of two to three weeks without any meaningful resistance from security agencies.

He expressed worry that, “the demand for N100 million in taxes is not only unjust but also unattained for a population already suffering from the loss of life and properties, who their primary economic activities are small-scale farming and petty trades both of which have been severely affected by the ongoing violence that pushes the communities into deep poverty and despair.

“This crisis has created dire humanitarian situation with residents lacking access to basic needs such as food, healthcare and security; fear prevails as communities live under the threat of further attacks and demands for ransom.

“The above-mentioned killings are just few examples of many killings and kidnapping that have taken place only within one month in my constituency,” he lamented.