‘Government Benefits From Insecurity’ — Bandit Kingpin

A bandit kingpin, Abu Sanni, in a recent interview, said everyone benefits from insecurity, even the government.

Sanni in an interview with BBC Africa Eye in a forest in Zamfara State disclosed that banditry has become a business.

The bandit kingpin helped in the abduction of 300 schoolgirls in Government Girls Science Secondary School Jangebe, Zamfara.

Sanni, was interviewed by a journalist with BBC, Yusuf Anka, in a 50-minute documentary titled ‘The Bandit warlords of Zamfara’.

Recall that bandits on the 27th of February, 2021 kidnapped schoolgirls in Jangebe in Talata-Mafara LGA of Zamfara, the schoolgirls were, however, released by their captors after negotiation with the government.

Sanni, while speaking on the abduction of the schoolgirls, said they were abducted as revenge against the government for sending the military after them.

According to Sanni, his gang requested N300 million from the government for the release of the schoolgirls but the government eventually paid N60 million.

He said, “When the rainy season ended, they sent the military after us. We decided to show the government they should not interfere with our problems. We went to Jangebe and took the students. We wanted to get the government angry.

“We demanded N300 million but after negotiations, N60 million was paid for their release.”

He added that the government is benefitting from the violent attacks.

Sanni said, “Because it has become a business. Everyone wants money. That is why things are deteriorating, from the top to the bottom.

“They say when there is insecurity, the government gets the money. Everyone is benefitting. We also get money. Though for our money, blood is split, so it continues.”