The North Must Confront Its Own Realities Following Bashar Sani's Death

The tragic assassination of Malam Bashar Sani, who served as a senior administrator at the College of Education in Maru, stands as a stark reminder of the pervasive violence afflicting Northern Nigeria.

Despite his extensive efforts over the years, including the payment of over ₦25.7 million in ransom along with motorcycles, mobile phones, and airtime to protect his family from recurring abductions, he ultimately lost his life to the same bandits he had tried to appease repeatedly.

For years, these criminals targeted his family, abducting both his wives, his younger brother, and ultimately himself, along with his daughter and several neighbors. Each time, in an effort to meet the relentless demands of the bandits, the family had to raise funds, sell assets, and plead for assistance. After transferring ₦20 million, alongside additional motorcycles as part of the negotiations, they were left waiting for further communications. Tragically, unbeknownst to his loved ones, Malam Bashar had perished while being held captive, subjected to torture and untreated injuries.

This harrowing incident is far from an isolated case; it mirrors the escalating insecurity issues seen in Zamfara and broader Northern Nigeria, where many communities find themselves trapped in a relentless cycle of ransom demands, extortion, and violence. In numerous areas, entire villages have fled, while others feel compelled to pay levies to bandits just to secure the right to farm, work, or sleep without fear.

The shocking reality remains that many of these heinous acts are committed by individuals who share our language, faith, and cultural background, yet display a level of brutality that seems utterly devoid of humanity. It is an uncomfortable truth that we can no longer dismiss: these criminals are not outsiders; they are part of our community.

In a piece I wrote in January 2018 titled 'Still on Murderous Fulani Kidnappers', I explored the alarming trend of individuals, identified as Fulani, becoming involved in violent kidnappings—a crime once associated predominantly with militants from other areas. Reports from police investigations at that time revealed that suspects confessed to committing acts of rape, murder, and extreme violence.

This reality compels us to ask crucial questions that remain unanswered: What factors led pastoralists to abandon their traditional roles for criminal activities like kidnapping? Who supplies them with the advanced weaponry they use? Why do they continue to kill even after collecting ransoms? How have they acquired skills that allow them to function akin to organized military forces? Most importantly, how can communities and governmental bodies collaborate effectively to eradicate these problems?

Years before this, at an international forum concerning pastoralism in 2014, there was a clear warning issued that terrorists were assuming the guise of herders to exploit existing tensions between farmers and herders. Although proactive security measures were recommended, they were not fully enacted. The consequences of this oversight are evident today.

The conflict has escalated to a scope far beyond mere grazing disputes. It is now largely fueled by economic despair, weak security frameworks, and the infiltration of organized crime syndicates, many of which operate around lucrative mining sites in the northern regions. For instance, Maru Local Government is home to gold and lithium deposits that have attracted illegal miners and various criminal elements.

While the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is a promising move, it needs to be complemented by the establishment of clear land use policies, designated grazing routes, and modern livestock management systems such as ranching and tracking technologies, to mitigate clashes and reduce cattle theft. Enhancing security in rural areas through community policing, early warning systems, and stricter border controls is equally vital.

While dialogue is crucial, past peace efforts have often failed. It is imperative to tackle banditry at its roots by reinstating state presence in isolated regions, rehabilitating willing offenders, and dismantling ransom networks. Communities should also aid security agencies by forming vigilant groups and sharing intelligence.

However, the onus extends beyond just government intervention; the North must also take initiative in addressing these challenges. External forces will not save us. No foreign military presence can resolve what is fundamentally an internal crisis. While outsiders might express concern, they cannot protect our villages or safeguard our farms. The duty to correct this situation rests upon us.

Community leaders, religious figures, traditional rulers, and citizens must unite to reclaim our neighborhoods. Simultaneously, the youth in rural areas require genuine alternatives to crime, including skills training, access to micro-credit, and entrepreneurial opportunities in agriculture.

The North cannot continue to rely on others for its survival. Neither Donald Trump nor his allies in Washington have a vested interest in the security of Northern communities. Stability and safety cannot be imported from abroad; they must come from within our communities. We must face the challenges posed by these internal threats decisively and fearlessly, defending our people, integrity, and future.

It is critical that we protect our neighborhoods, hold our leaders and security agencies to account, and refuse to relinquish our territories to criminals who betray our shared values and beliefs.

A verse from the Holy Quran has often resonated with me during these somber times: “Fear a tumult which will affect not only those who caused it, but also the innocent among you.” (Qur’an 8:25).

That tumult is already upon us. If we fail to come together to confront banditry—not just in words but with action—the cycle of violence will continue, leading to further tragic losses like that of Malam Bashar Sani.

The pressing question remains: will we take action before further innocent lives are claimed?

Our fate rests in our hands. The time to act is now.