The Northern Elders Progressive Group (NEPG) has emphasised that sustained military operations are the most effective strategy for ending banditry in Zamfara State.

In a statement made available to journalists in Sokoto on Monday, the group’s coordinator, Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar, stressed that previous dialogue and reconciliation attempts with bandit leaders had produced limited results, reinforcing the need for continued military action.

“Sustained operations remain the most effective approach to ending banditry,” Abubakar added.

Banditry has been a persistent security challenge in Zamfara State and the wider North-West region for over a decade.

Armed gangs have engaged in kidnappings, cattle rustling, armed robbery, and attacks on communities, leaving thousands displaced and claiming countless lives.

Over the years, successive governments have tried a mix of approaches to tackle the menace, including military operations, community policing, and attempts at negotiation or reconciliation with bandit leaders, which have yielded little sustainable result.

On Saturday, November 15, 2025, bandits reportedly killed six and abducted about 64 others at the Fegin Baza village in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking on the development, Abubakar said decisive military action was needed to curb banditry in the state.

He commended former governor and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for his visionary leadership and commitment to restoring peace in the region.

Abubakar noted that Matawalle’s recent visit to Zamfara contributed to renewed stability and strengthened ongoing military operations.

“It is a blessed visit, considering the achievements recorded so far, particularly the decisive measures taken by the military to sustain onslaughts on bandits’ enclaves,” he said.

The group also commended Matawalle’s support for military campaigns, which had led to the destruction of several bandit hideouts in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Kebbi states. Abubakar expressed appreciation to Operation Fasin Yamma for its resilience and urged President Bola Tinubu to provide additional equipment and logistical support to boost troops’ morale in the affected states.

While praising Tinubu’s commitment to national security, the group highlighted the need for the government to prioritise the fight against banditry and other criminal activities in vulnerable communities across the North-West.

“We commend the people of Zamfara for supporting and endorsing President Tinubu to continue his good work beyond 2027.

“Their gesture is a strong message of hope and encouragement for improved security, peace, and economic development,” Abubakar said. (The PUNCH)