The Northern Elders Progressive Group has called for sustained military operations as the most effective solution to ending banditry in Zamfara State.
In a statement on Monday, the group’s coordinator, Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar, said previous dialogue with bandit leaders had produced limited results, underscoring the need for continued military action. “Sustained operations remain the most effective approach to ending banditry,” he added.
Bandit attacks have plagued Zamfara and the wider North-West for over a decade, with kidnappings, armed robberies, and raids leaving thousands displaced. On November 15, 2025, six people were killed and 64 abducted in Fegin Baza village, Tsafe LGA.
Abubakar commended former governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for his leadership in supporting military operations, noting the destruction of several bandit hideouts across Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Kebbi. He also urged President Bola Tinubu to provide additional equipment and support to boost troop morale.
The group emphasized the importance of prioritizing the fight against banditry to protect vulnerable communities in the North-West and hailed residents of Zamfara for supporting government efforts.
