Senator Buka Ibrahim, a former Governor of Yobe State, has revealed the methods used by the Boko Haram sect to acquire funding, describing them as “threats and extreme coercion.” The Senator made these statements during a Senate discussion on banditry attacks in Kabaru village, Mau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Senator Ibrahim contributed to a motion sponsored by Senator Kabiru Marafa, which was co-sponsored by all Senators, addressing the escalating insecurity in the region.
Key Points from Senator Ibrahim’s Statement:
- Boko Haram employs tactics of threats and extreme coercion to force people into partially funding their activities.
- He alleged that security agencies, specifically the military Joint Task Force (JTF), have killed more people in the North East region than the sect itself.
- He argued that Boko Haram started like any other religious sect, but the actions of security agencies, particularly the police, escalated the situation by killing their leaders and numerous innocent people. This, he asserted, forced the group into conflict with the Nigerian state.
- He further stated that common criminals exploit the situation to extort money, and armed robbers contribute to the violence in Zamfara.
Senate Resolutions:
Following the debate, the Senate passed several resolutions:
- The Inspector General of Police has been tasked with stepping up surveillance and effective policing in the affected areas.
- The Federal Ministry of Works is urged to prioritize the construction of key federal roads (Anka-Dangulbi-Dansadau-Birnin Gwari and Dayi-Tsafe-Dangulbi) to improve accessibility and connect the region with neighboring communities.
- The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is called upon to expedite intervention efforts, providing relief to affected persons, particularly women and children in the impacted communities.
Senate President’s Remarks:
Senate President David Mark directed the Police Affairs Committee to investigate Senator Ibrahim’s allegations. He emphasized the Senate’s commitment to reducing insecurity in the country. He acknowledged the challenging circumstances faced by security agencies during internal operations and urged residents to provide timely information about the activities of the sect.
Senator Mark stated that while he wouldn’t defend the Armed Forces, they face a difficult situation in internal or street-to-street combat. He stressed the importance of residents providing as much information as possible, quickly, as the killing of Armed Forces personnel often leads to forceful reactions. He also encouraged providing information to the police and indicated that the relevant committees would investigate the serious allegations raised.
Motion Sponsor’s Statement:
Senator Kabiru Marafa, the sponsor of the motion, described the situation in Zamfara as barbaric. He reiterated the call for the Federal Government to prioritize the road infrastructure projects to improve access and connectivity in the region.
Source: The Will
