No Kebbi Village Under Bandit Control, Says Deputy Governor

• Kebbi Deputy Governor Umar Abubakar-Tafida denies claims that bandits control villages or conduct Sharia courts, calling the reports baseless and imaginary
• The state government has allocated N92.5 million to support families affected by a recent bandit attack, emphasizing their commitment to security

Kebbi State’s Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar-Tafida, has denied claims that bandits are controlling villages, conducting Sharia courts, or appointing local leaders in the state.

Speaking at a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi, Abubakar-Tafida dismissed the reports as baseless, stating that no village in Kebbi is under such control.

“There is no village in Kebbi where bandits have taken charge of Sharia courts or appointed village heads,” he asserted. “These claims are pure imagination, as Kebbi has no base or camp for bandits.

The attackers are intruders, coming from neighboring states or Niger Republic with the help of informants.”

The deputy governor reassured that the Kebbi State government has developed effective strategies to counter these acts of banditry.

He mentioned a recent delegation led by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, which met with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to discuss the eradication of banditry in Kebbi and the wider northwest region.

Additionally, the deputy governor reported that the state has allocated N92.5 million to support families of victims affected by a recent bandit attack on November 7.

Governor Nasir Idris contributed N50 million, Senator Bagudu added N30 million, members of the National Assembly from Kebbi contributed N10 million, and the Minister of State for Humanitarian Services, Dr. Tanko Sununu, provided N2.5 million.

“We extend our gratitude for their condolences and generosity toward the victims in Mera, Augie Local Government Area,” he said.