Residents of the Magami community in Gusau local government area of Zamfara State find themselves in a state of confusion following an unexpected offer from notorious bandit kingpin, Dogo Gide, to protect them.
Gide’s proposal has sparked mixed reactions among the local populace and neighboring communities. Recently relocating to Kizara village near Magami after a confrontation with the military in Madada Forest, Gide has encouraged residents and farmers to return to their farmlands without fear of abduction. While this offer has provided temporary relief to some, it has also raised concerns among others.
A resident of Dansadau Emirate, speaking anonymously for security reasons, expressed skepticism about the long-term implications of Gide’s offer. He cautioned that while it might enable farmers to access their farmlands temporarily, it introduces new risks, particularly for those traveling from Gusau due to the unrestricted movement of bandits in the area.
“He relocated to Kizara, but this agreement is just a temporary relief. It means we at Dansadau community will face serious problems when traveling. If there is an agreement between the bandits and Magami community, the bandits will move freely, leading to more attacks along the Gusau to Dansadau road,” the resident explained.
The source added, “Since Monday, it was only last night that people managed to reach Dansadau from Gusau. They had to wait for security clearance and military escorts at multiple points along the route. Any area with an agreement with bandits faces trouble due to their free movement. This is what we are suffering now.”
