Zamfara deputy governor defending terror leader, By Yemi Adebowale

The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Hassan Nasiha is obviously one of those in government frolicking with terrorists. The result of endless patronage of terrorists by those who should check them is the unending terrorism mess this country has found itself. Seven days ago, Nasiha showed his true colour, when he unilaterally declared Bello Turji, the terror leader operating in the North-west, as a changed man that had fully cuddled the state’s peace overtures. Nasiha is laundering the infamous guerilla called Turji that should be on trial for the murder of hundreds of innocent people. 

Speaking last Sunday at a conference on security organised by the Students Union of Medina University, Saudi Arabia, Nasiha, claimed that Turji’s repentance had brought about peace in Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs in Zamfara State, adding that the erstwhile terror kingpin was now killing his unrepentant colleagues. 

He ignored killings and kidnappings by Turji and his boys still ongoing in other parts of Zamfara State and further in Katsina and Sokoto states. Nasiha cleverly mentioned just Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs. Just last Wednesday, terrorists loyal to Turji killed a commercial driver, identified simply as Bello, and abducted two travellers, Babangida Kachile, 56, and Halimat Shuaibu, 50, during an ambush along the Katsina/Jibia highway in Katsina State. On the same day, three soldiers were killed by Turji’s boys in ambush while on their way to repel attacks in Fanda-Haki, Yar Katsina and Karrakkai communities, all in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The Zamfara deputy governor stated further that Turji had been meeting with terrorists in 14 LGAs of the state, as part of efforts to end terrorism. He declared: “In the last three months, there has not been any attack at Magami district as a result of the peace initiative with bandits. Everyone knows the notorious bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji who has operated on that axis. The state government, through the peace committee, entered into a peace deal with the bandits’ leader and he agreed to stop the criminality and to embrace peace.” 

Nasiha’s remark at the Saudi Arabia forum on the demands of the Fulani militias, after a peace committee set up by the state’s government met with nine terror groups in Magami and Dansadau, gives him out as one of those backing terrorists. He said: “They (Fulani militias) said Hausas always attacked and raped their women, killing the Fulani on their way to or returning from markets. They equally requested for schools for their kids and other social services including fertilizers and farm inputs. 

“They said lack of education would influence a 12-year-old Fulani boy to kill a 70-year-old man using an AK-47 rifle. The state government has ordered the return of cattle grazing routes, lands, water for livestock and other property seized by Hausas to the herders.”

Reiterating that the order must be respected by both parties to enable the return of law and order in the communities, Nasiha likewise stated that the Fulani militias appealed to the state government to consider freeing their youths detained in correctional centres and in police cells.

No wonder Turji has not been arrested for hundreds of people murdered by his gang. A man that should have been sent to the gallows for numerous killings is now Nasiha’s hero.

It won’t be out of place to describe Nasiha as special envoy of the terrorists. He has obviously taken sides in the dispute between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers in the North-west. When those in government take sides in disputes, the result is the unending killings in the country. This is why clashes involving Fulani herders and Hausa farmers have persisted. 

First published in Thisday Newspaper