There is ongoing tension among residents of Zamfara State over the supposed release of Gwoska Dankarami’s family members, a known terrorists’ kingpin in the state.
It was learnt that the mother and some men of Dankarami who were recently intercepted and detained by security operatives while returning from Hajj (pilgrimage), in one of the airports in the North West by the security operatives have been released.
Dankarami in turn released some female students he had held imprisoned for months.
According to PRNigeria, after the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, security and intelligence personnel quietly engaged the top bandits in negotiation towards peace treaties and possibly amnesty initiatives.
Terrorist kidnapping for ransom is on the rise in the North West, according to a security source, particularly in Zamfara State.
“The bandits are now sophisticated using multimedia in producing audio-visual targeted at communities, families of kidnapped victims and security agencies for ransom negotiations, together with the release of their arrested members and early warning of attacks.
“The technique was deployed in the production of a video on the plight of abducted female Students of Zamfara college of Arts and Sciences (ZACAS) Gusau.
“A widow and mother of one of the girls fainted and died suddenly after watching one of the traumatic scenes of her daughter in the video,” the source said.
In Zamfara, constant terrorist attacks have turned many villages to ungovernable and no-go areas.
While Dankarami’s gangs operate in the Zurmi, Birnin Magaji, and Kaura axis, the legendary Bello Turji operates from Shinkafi and has wider networks in other local governments and portions of Sokoto, according to PRNigeria.
Also, Ado Haliru operates in Chafe, Gusau, and part of Funtua in Katsina; Halilu Sububu’s boys dominate Zurmi and Maradun; Nasama Nasawari operates within Birnin Magaji, while Dan Saade operates mostly in Bungudu and kaura.
While military operations, especially airstrikes are sustained, there are calls for political will towards the eradication of banditry in the state.
