The ongoing banditry in Zamfara State has claimed over 3,000 lives in the past few years, an official has said.
Secretary to the Government of Zamfara State, Abdullahi Shinkafi, made the disclosure yesterday, in Gusau at a meeting organised by Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.
Shinkafi also said the state government has spent N17 billion in the past seven years on fighting the problem.
The meeting was called to find a lasting solution to the worsening insecurity in the state.
According to Shinkafi, the banditry has resulted in the death of over 3,000 people, destruction of over 2,000 homes, burning of over 500 cars and kidnapping of over 500 people for ransom.
He said the money was spent from 2011 to date, to procure vehicles for security agencies, pay allowances to security operatives, provide accommodation for soldiers of the 232 Battalion and other logistics.
“When you hear N17 billion, it sounds huge, but when you break it down to the various components in tackling insecurity, you will see that it is not even enough.
“In 2011, we provided 457 vehicles for security agencies, in 2012, we provided 2,250 vehicles, in 2014, 77 vehicles and 50 vehicles each in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. We also have to give funds to those affected by these attacks to at least help them in some way.”
