A community in Zamfara successfully repelled and killed 37 bandits, earning praise from security experts but also facing warnings of potential retaliation.
Residents of Matusgi in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, recently united to confront and repel a bandit raid on their community. In the confrontation, they managed to kill around 37 bandits.
This action has been seen by security experts as a positive step towards reducing insecurity, which has plagued various regions.
Prior to the attack, the villagers, alerted to a potential raid, gathered with local weapons and prepared to defend their homes.
When the bandits arrived, they were met with heavy resistance, leading to their retreat. Despite their efforts, three villagers were killed in the skirmish, and twenty-five bandit corpses were found.
Experts support community resistance but caution against neglecting national security forces. They stress the importance of avoiding collaboration with bandits and call for cooperation with official security measures.
Dr. Kabir Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Consulting Limited, said the community’s response was a natural reaction to self-preservation. He emphasized that when the state fails to provide protection, people will take matters into their own hands. He warned that as communities arm themselves more, the overall security situation could worsen.
Dr. Kabir Adamu cautioned that while the community’s action might seem successful initially, it could lead to future problems. He warned of a high risk of reprisal attacks, with bandits potentially regrouping and returning.
As the bandits possess more weapons, they are likely to target the community again, prompting the locals to seek even more arms for self-defense, thereby perpetuating a dangerous cycle.
Umar suggested that describing the community’s actions as a no-confidence vote on security forces is an understatement.
He highlighted the severe insecurity in Zamfara and Kaduna States, where residents are living in a state of anarchy due to lack of protection, impacting their lives and livelihoods.
Subsection 2 of the constitution assigns security as the government’s main duty, but residents in Zamfara, Kaduna, and other affected states feel this responsibility is not being met, highlighting a severe lack of public security in these areas.
When people feel dissatisfied with government efforts and are no longer receiving adequate protection, they may turn to self-help to survive.
These community actions can support national security, as it is essential for them to feel safe and secure. The law permits self-defense if faced with a lethal threat, allowing individuals to use counter-weapons to protect themselves.
If communities take steps to defend against bandit attacks, the government should respond by safeguarding these communities from potential reprisals.
