Dogo Gide, a suspected leader of a terrorist cell has reportedly offered to protect residents and farmers in Magami community under Gusau Local Government of Zamfara State. Gide, accused of being behind the kidnap of students in Kaduna state, reportedly relocated to the area after a gun battle with the military where he was supposedly wounded in Madada forest under Maru Local Government Area of the State.
Gide’s offer to protect the residents, where he reportedly asked the farmers to return to their farms is causing panic amongst the residents who don’t know what to make of the suspected criminal’s unusual offer.
A resident who spoke on the condition of anonymity said residents are wary the offer is only a ruse or a temporary gambit.
“He relocated to Kizara, infant that consensual agreement will not be better, it is just a temporary relief and that means we at Dansadau community will have serious problems while embarking on the journey because if there is an agreement between the bandits and Magami community, the bandits will be moving freely. There will be more attacks along Gusau to Dansadau road,” he said.
He also added “even now since Monday, it was last night that people get to Dansadau from Gusau since Monday, because when they left Gusau, they stopped at Jangeme, from there they have to wait for security clearance and military escort when they get to Magami, they have to wait for escort to Yar Tasha and they still have to wait for another military escort from Yar Tasha to Dansadau.”
Another resident say they are convinced the offer is genuine and they will never negotiate with terrorists.
“Any area where there is an agreement with bandits, that road network around the area is in trouble because of the free movement of the bandits around the area, that is what we are suffering now.”
He said each time agreements were reached, the bandits failed to honour their commitments, resulting in renewed attacks, kidnappings, and extortion which has left the community discouraged with the negotiation process, viewing it as ineffective.
“You cannot negotiate with bandits, they are not sincere and truthful, we have tried it in Dansadau ten times without the involvement of government but it never yielded good results.”
“They will only reach an agreement with you to achieve their target. And when they are done, they will back down from the agreement. That is why we no longer appreciate their negotiations and consensual agreement.”
He called for a more robust and decisive approach to dealing with banditry, advocating for enhanced security measures, including increased military and police presence, improved intelligence gathering, and coordinated operations to dismantle bandit networks in the area.
“Just yesterday, they came close to the town and exchanged fire with the military and the JTF. The same thing two days ago.”
“We support the state government’s idea of non-negotiating with the bandits, but let the Federal Government enhance the security with equipment, maybe with vehicles so that they will protect the communities.”
The Spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said they were not aware of the relocation of the terrorist leader to Kizara village.
“I am not aware of that information, but I will get in touch with the Dansadau DPO, I will get back to you.” ASP Abubakar said.
