Yet another high-profile personality has jumped into the raging controversy about people behind the heightened spate of banditry in the northwestern part of the country with a former governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2019 governorship election in Zamfara State, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi alleging that top politicians are sponsoring the crime in the region.
He claimed that some unscrupulous politicians have been using banditry against their opponents for selfish political motives.
Lately, insecurity, with numerous reported attacks and kidnappings has been on an alarming spate in the region.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Shinkafi claimed that some influential politicians were secretly backing the bandits, undermining efforts to restore peace.
Shinkafi, who also serves as the Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), supported the Defence Headquarters’ investigation into the sponsorship of banditry in the North-West.
He condemned unscrupulous politicians using banditry for selfish gains and called for a probe into those politicizing insecurity.
Saying, ”the Defence Headquarters’ investigation is a welcome development,” he praised President Tinubu’s directive that led to the elimination of notorious bandits leaders like Kachalla Halilu Sububu, Jamilu Nazakiru, Sani Black, Danbaleri Mashekari, and Wala Baburki in major military masterstrokes.
Shinkafi stated, “This is a welcome development and it is long overdue in the quest for sustainable peace, security, and development in the region.
“The spate of killings, kidnappings for ransom, destruction of property, imposition of levies and taxes, and displacement of people from their communities by these criminal elements is alarming. It calls for a concerted military effort to crush them and restore national security.
“Anyone found culpable in the probe should face the full weight of the law, regardless of their status or position in the country.
“Some unscrupulous politicians have been using banditry as a campaign tool against their opponents for selfish political motives. The Defence Headquarters should also investigate those exploiting the lives and property of innocent people for political gain.
“Other public office holders similarly use the security challenges as conduits to divert and siphon public funds for personal enrichment.”
