An eye witness and a conflict researcher/journalist, Idris Mohammed, has narrated how some families in Zamfara and Sokoto states give their women and girls to bandits for pleasure in exchange of their freedom.
Idris stated that during his investigative report in some communities in Isa Sabonbirni in Sokoto state and Shinkafi in Zamfara state, some families confirmed to him how they give out their women and girls to bandits in exchange for their freedom.
Idris noted this in Abuja during the one-day workshop on reflection session to validate preliminary findings from Strategic Communications Assessment in North-West Nigeria with support from the UK International Development through the Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).
The aim of the project is promoting stability, access to justice and accountability in North-west Nigeria (Samun Adalchi Shi Ne Kwanciyar Hankali) organised by International Alert.
The workshop also aims to stimulate discussions and generate diverse perspectives for enriching the evidence on the use of STRATCOM for addressing violent behaviour in the North-west.
Idris said: “When I heard these from the families of victims, I proceeded and went to some institutions to seek for help, but most of them told me that they are helpless.
“People in the North-west remain volatile, helpless and hopeless.”
Another participant at the workshop, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman in Chinku local government, Kaduna state, Rev. Aminusan Ayuka, said bandits move freely in their communities with weapons and nothing could be done to curb these.
“These bandits go to the markets with their guns and forcefully collect wares from the traders without paying,” he said.
