Dr Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, has attributed the unending banditry in the North-West to what he termed as “conflict entrepreneurs.”
Matawalle made these remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, shedding light on the impact of conflict entrepreneurship on the security landscape in the region.
According to Matawalle, “Banditry has its own economy, which is perpetuating the crime in the country. Conflict entrepreneurs are vested in the continuity of insecurity as it benefits their business interests, involving various sectors such as drug trafficking, food, and fuel supply.”
He further expounded, “Informants and collaborators profit significantly from perpetuating these crimes, which is why they are resistant to putting an end to these malicious activities. It has become a lucrative business for many individuals, perpetuating the cycle of criminality.”
Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Zamfara, Matawalle illustrated how basic commodities were being exploited within the bandits’ enclaves, with prices soaring to exorbitant levels. He noted, “A bottle of coke that was sold for N100 in the city would be sold for as much as N500 to bandits in their enclaves. Similarly, a bag of rice priced between N18,000 and N21,000 would be inflated to N80,000 within the bandits’ territories.”
Matawalle stressed that addressing security challenges is a collective responsibility and urged Nigerians to unite in combating these threats. He emphasized that his proactive measures during his tenure prevented a severe escalation of insecurity in the Northern region.
Reminiscing, Matawalle recounted, “I was the first governor in the entire North to shut down the communication network in my state. This strategic move enabled security agencies to advance their operations without being compromised by informants tipping off the bandits, who had previously ambushed our soldiers.”
Expressing concern over the lack of public appreciation for the sacrifices of the military, Matawalle highlighted the asymmetric attention given to civilian casualties versus those of the soldiers. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating criminal elements and sought the support of the public in this endeavor.
Quelling speculations about negotiating with criminals, Matawalle vehemently dismissed such claims, emphasizing the need for a unified, comprehensive approach to countering insecurity. He refuted the possibility of negotiation with bandits, equating them to “normal criminals like armed robbers,” reinforcing the significance of community-based initiatives.
Matawalle debunked the myth of faceless bandits, asserting that these criminal elements are known within their communities. His stance underscored the importance of community involvement in combating these threats.
