Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Concern is mounting in parts of Zamfara State as the Chairman of Bukuyum Local Government Area, Hon. Umar Custom, has publicly raised alarm over what he describes as delays by security agencies in acting on intelligence reports about bandits operating within the Bukuyum forest axis. His warning reflects growing anxiety among rural communities and farmers who, he says, remain exposed to violent attacks despite the availability of actionable information on criminal hideouts and movement routes.
Speaking amid rising insecurity across the area, Hon. Custom expressed frustration that intelligence reportedly shared with relevant security formations has not yet translated into sustained military or police operations in the forests surrounding Bukuyum. According to him, these forested zones have long served as strategic enclaves for armed groups who launch raids on villages, farmlands, and highways before retreating into difficult terrain.
The chairman noted that local authorities, traditional leaders, and residents have repeatedly provided details on suspected bandit camps, supply routes, and escape corridors. However, he said the perceived delay in deploying coordinated operations has allowed criminal groups to regroup, rearm, and continue terrorising defenseless communities. He warned that time lost could result in avoidable casualties, displacement, and economic hardship.
Bukuyum Local Government Area lies within one of Zamfara’s most vulnerable belts, where agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods. Hon. Custom stressed that farmers are increasingly afraid to cultivate their fields, especially in remote settlements close to forest boundaries. He said many residents now face a grim choice between risking their lives to farm or staying home and sliding deeper into poverty and hunger.
According to the chairman, the impact of insecurity goes beyond immediate violence. He explained that when farming activities are disrupted, food production drops, markets suffer, and young people become more vulnerable to recruitment by criminal elements. He cautioned that insecurity, if not addressed decisively, could entrench a cycle of violence and underdevelopment that will be harder to reverse.
Community members echoed these concerns, describing a climate of fear that has become part of daily life. Residents of villages around the Bukuyum forest said attacks often come with little warning, sometimes at night and other times in broad daylight. They alleged that armed men on motorcycles frequently move through bush paths known to locals, reinforcing claims that intelligence on routes already exists.
Hon. Custom emphasised that his remarks were not intended to discredit the efforts of security agencies, many of whose personnel have made sacrifices in the fight against banditry. Instead, he framed his comments as a call for urgency, better coordination, and a more proactive approach. He said local governments are willing to support operations with community-based intelligence and logistics where possible.
The chairman also called for improved synergy among the military, police, and other security outfits operating in Zamfara State. He argued that fragmented or delayed responses give bandits the advantage, especially in terrain where familiarity with the environment plays a crucial role. According to him, only sustained, intelligence-led operations can deny criminal groups safe havens in the forests.
Security experts have long identified Zamfara’s vast forests as both a challenge and an opportunity in counter-banditry operations. While the terrain complicates large-scale assaults, analysts note that credible local intelligence can significantly enhance operational success. They warn that delays between intelligence gathering and action can render information obsolete, allowing bandits to relocate or lay ambushes.
Hon. Custom urged higher authorities at the state and federal levels to prioritise Bukuyum and similar flashpoints in ongoing security planning. He said rural communities often feel overlooked until tragedies occur, at which point responses become reactive rather than preventive. He stressed that early intervention could save lives and reduce the long-term cost of restoring peace.
Farmers in the area say the timing of any security operation is critical, particularly during planting and harvest seasons. Several farmers reported abandoning fertile land near forest fringes, fearing abduction or killing. Some said they now cultivate only plots close to major roads or villages, significantly reducing yields. Others have migrated temporarily to safer areas, placing additional strain on host communities.
Traditional leaders in Bukuyum have also appealed for action, warning that prolonged insecurity risks eroding trust between citizens and the state. They argue that when communities feel unprotected, they may resort to self-help measures that could escalate tensions. Such dynamics, they caution, could further destabilise an already fragile security environment.
The Zamfara State Government has repeatedly pledged to work with federal security agencies to address banditry, which has plagued several local government areas for years. While some operations have been carried out across the state, residents of Bukuyum insist that the forest zones identified as bandit strongholds require more sustained attention.
Hon. Custom reiterated his belief that peace in Bukuyum is achievable if intelligence is acted upon swiftly and decisively. He said local leaders are ready to continue cooperating with security agencies and urged residents to keep sharing information through appropriate channels. At the same time, he appealed for patience, cautioning communities against actions that could expose them to retaliation.
Humanitarian observers warn that continued insecurity could worsen displacement and food insecurity in Zamfara and neighboring states. They note that rural farmers are often the first victims of prolonged violence, losing both lives and livelihoods. Without timely intervention, they say, the humanitarian burden could deepen, stretching already limited resources.
As pressure mounts, residents of Bukuyum await tangible action that will translate assurances into security on the ground. For many, the chairman’s public warning reflects a broader sentiment shared across Zamfara’s rural communities: that intelligence alone is not enough without prompt and coordinated operations to neutralize threats.
Whether security agencies will move swiftly to address the concerns raised remains to be seen. For now, farmers, traders, and families in Bukuyum continue to live under the shadow of the forests, hoping that decisive action will come before further loss of lives and livelihoods forces them into deeper uncertainty.
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