Member representing Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency of Zamfara State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji said 200 of his constituents were kidnapped by bandits.
Jaji added that within two weeks, 60 individuals were abducted in Banga while 10 others were later killed for the inability of the community to raise N30 million ransom demanded by their abductors.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Jaji lamented escalating insecurity situations in his constituency and called on the federal government to urgently intervene in the worsening security challenges.
“In my constituency alone, over 200 people have been kidnapped by bandits. Two weeks ago, 60 people were abducted in Banga. 10 of them were later killed because the community could not raise the N30 million ransom demanded by the abductors. As we were grieving, another 25 were taken from Gabake. Just yesterday (Tuesday), fresh attacks occurred in Kungurki”, he said.
Jaji who chaired the House committee on National Security and Intelligence in the 8th Assembly, said it would be illogical to declare emergency rule in Zamfara State when over 20 states of the federation were also faced with security challenges.
“If you declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, you might as well declare it in more than 20 other states. Insecurity is a national crisis, not a regional one. This is no longer a political matter. It is a humanitarian disaster. If we fail to act now, the entire country will be consumed”, he said.
The lawmaker, while dismissing calls for the use of hired mercenaries to tackle insecurity said, “I don’t believe that in Nigeria we need mercenaries to prosecute the war against terrorists. Our gallant soldiers have the capacity to secure the country but the only thing that we need to do as a country is to step up a little bit, to be more digitalized in the way we operate.
“Honestly, I don’t subscribe to the idea of hiring mercenaries. We must make sure the resources given to our security agents by the federal government is substantially okay.
“Let’s monitor the efficacy of how they discharge their duty and how they are supported in terms of their welfare because if they are motivated, they can take any step to fight these people.”