Former Chief of Army Staff Raises Alarm, Says Terrorists Now lmpose Laws, Taxes in Northern Communities
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), has expressed deep concern over the worsening state of insecurity in Northern Nigeria, revealing that terrorists and bandits have taken control of several communities where they now impose taxes and enact their own laws.
OTN News further reports that, Dambazau, speaking at the First Media and Security Summit held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, themed “Existential Threats and National Security,” lamented that, insecurity in the North has persisted for over two decades, with devastating social and economic consequences.
According to him, “we have gotten to a situation where bandits and insurgents have taken some of our communities, taxing and making laws for them."
“Thousands have been killed and millions displaced. The number of widows and orphans has increased, and farmers have lost their farms while herders have had their cattle rustled — without decisive action from state actors," he added.
Furthermore, the retired General, who decried the continued killings in parts of Katsina, Borno, Zamfara, and Kano, including attacks on worshippers in mosques, said that, the North has been crippled by a combination of terrorism, banditry, and farmer-herder conflicts, leading to a humanitarian crisis and deepening poverty.
Dambazau called on northern governors to create Ministries of Mineral Resources in their states to harness local natural resources, boost revenue, and reduce poverty — which he identified as a key driver of insecurity.
He also urged the restoration of traditional institutions, revival of agriculture, and stronger social inclusion to address the crisis.
“Over 70 percent of those suffering from poverty caused by insecurity are from the North. Religious extremism remains a major threat to national security and has fueled the rise of groups like Boko Haram and Lakurawa terrorists,” he added.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who also spoke at the summit, emphasized that security must be treated as a collective responsibility.
“We need to come together to talk with each other on how to solve this problem. Nigeria was not like this before — peace is possible if we act in unity and sincerity,” the monarch said.
Similarly, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State stressed the need for regional collaboration to end insecurity, noting that environmental and socio-economic factors such as climate change may be fueling the crisis.
Also speaking, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State said the summit was a timely platform to discuss the challenges facing the North and proffer practical, lasting solutions.
OTN News, however, observes that, Dambazau’s remarks have since drawn national attention, with security experts and civic groups urging urgent reforms to restore peace, rebuild trust, and reclaim territories from criminal groups in the region.
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