Arewa Elders Initiatives and Interactive Group, has commended Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, for addressing the issue of informants sabotaging the fight against banditry and other criminal activities in the state.

The National Chairman of the group, Alhassan Gwadabe, made the commendation in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Kaduna.

He said the arrest of informants, shutting down mobile networks, banning of the sale of fuel and exposing collaborators in communities have led to relative peace in the state.

The chairman added that Matawalle’s strategy included demolishing informants’ houses and removal of traditional rulers or community leaders found to be negligent or conniving with bandits.

According to him, the measures taken have positively restored peace in the state and the North West region.

Gwadabe said that the group x-rayed Matawalle’s strategy at a two-day interactive session with some selected Non Governmental Organisations.

The interactive session had the theme: ‘Emerging challenges facing the North West and Issues behind success of the fight against banditry and kidnapping ahead of 2023 elections’.

He called on the Federal and State Governments in the North West to come up with new strategies and tactics that would ensure absolute success in the ongoing fight against banditry and other security challenges.

“With the recent reports of the escalation of banditry activities and killing of innocent people in some part of Niger and Kebbi states, a need for restrategising is key,” he said.

According to him, the application of non-kinetic methods such as the use of traditional and political solution, support to vigilante groups and security agencies also facilitated the successes being recorded in Zamfara.

“There is relative improvement of peaceful atmosphere and free movement of people and activities in certain troubled places that are hitherto no-go places.

“We therefore suggest that there must be collaboration, understanding, trust and intelligence sharing among all the relevant security agencies involved with locals and government, as a deliberate plan to achieve desired goals.

“This is because the use of military might alone cannot bring an end to such killings and destruction of lives and properties of innocent people in the region.

PDP adjourns national caucus meeting, reschedules NEC

“Hence, the need for healthy collaboration among the affected states, together with community and political leaders, stakeholders on security and others as exhibited by the governor of Zamfara state”.

Gwadabe advised governors of Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina states to organise a special retreat and town hall meeting to agree on new security strategies before the 2023 political activities begin fully.

He urged traditional, community and religious leaders to intensify efforts on public enlightenment and the need to provide useful information to security agencies, that will help them deliver on their mandate.

The chairman also appealed to the Federal and state governments, as well as well-meaning Nigerians to assist victims of banditry in the region, especially those displaced. (NAN)