TheCable

The Zamfara state government says the slow response of security operatives is hindering the success of the fight against bandits.

In recent times, the state has witnessed a rising spate of killings perpetrated by bandits.

Troops of the Nigerian army recently killed 48 bandits operating across different camps in Maru LGA.

The state government said that despite the efforts deployed to address attacks, the situation still persists.

In a statement on Saturday, Zailani Bappa, media aide to the governor, said, “some forces are bent on frustrating the efforts of this administration to address the security challenge.”

The state government also requested for the deployment of more security forces, adding that it understands that troops are overstretched.

“The administration of His Excellency, Governor Bello Mohammed accords security a topmost attention. Since its inception precisely two years ago, it has carefully examined the situation and evaluated the available options,” the statement read.

“It consequently decided on the best way to address the lingering crisis that was increasingly assuming intercommunal and ethnic dimensions through dialogue and reconciliation with the feuding parties.

“This is in consideration of the fact that no meaningful development could be achieved if decisive and workable steps are not taken to address the problem at hand.

“In spite of the employment of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to defeat this nagging problem, the recent escalation in attacks by bandits in some parts of the State is a serious source of concern.

“It appears, or even certain, that some forces are bent on frustrating the efforts of this administration to address the security challenge. It is inconceivable that these attacks have been conducted despite the effective deployment of troops across all the blackspots in the state.”