…Living in solitary hideouts to wreak havoc was hell–Repentant bandits confess
…. As farmers rejoice over the peace pact, return to farms without fear

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

It is peace at last! Everyone can relax and rejoice. That seems to be the atmosphere in Kaduna State for now. At least, some communities, especially those around the Birnin-Gwari axis of the state, can heave a sigh of relief for now. The reason is not farfetched. Many months and weeks since the authorities in Kaduna State in collaboration with the office of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, started negotiations with bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State to lay down their arms and embrace peace, the criminal elements have finally seen the need to drop their weapons for peace.
In surrendering their arms, the elements in Birnin Gwari Emirate, Buruku and at Sabon Birni community begged for forgiveness for the atrocities committed, and assured that they would be law-abiding citizens henceforth.

The reformed bandits confessed that they lived a miserable life in the forests where they were perpetrating evil against the state and people. They described their experience in the forest as living in hell and pleaded with the government to integrate them into the scheme of things so as to give them and their families a sense of belonging.

At the Birnin Gwari Cattle Market, a major economic centre, that was shut down for over ten years because of incessant attacks by the bandits, many repentant bandits who said they were abiding by the peace pact and had laid down arms, recalled that solitary life as outlaws in the forests was much harsher than living in bondage. Ardo Muhammadu and Yas Power were among many other repentant bandits, who assured the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State that they would abide by the peace pact and would not be privy to any attack or untoward development in the area.

According to Ardo, it was time for all Fulani leaders across the federation, to talk to their subjects and convince them to fully embrace the peace process. “They should follow the Kaduna example and lay down arms. We are grateful for this peace pact and shall continue to pray for its sustainability. Thank you government,” he said. A repentant bandit, Madu, said it was hell living in holes to avoid being caught unawares by military jets. According to him: “Things were difficult. We have money but nowhere to spend and enjoy in the forest. Our livestock continue to multiply, but we could not take them to the cattle market and sell.”

“It was a life of confinement as our guns, machetes and other crude weapons were our only companions. Any slight movement made us to scamper, we never thought we could be free, again,” he said.
Alhaji Ibrahim Bokolo, a repentant bandit, said the crisis made him and his family to relocate to neighbouring Niger State. Now that he had returned to Kaduna State, he appealed for more understanding, especially from local vigilante and cautioned trouble makers to desist from any act that could breach the peace pact.

Muhammadu Lawali, a repentant bandit, assured that the current peace pact was different from previous ones, as both parties had genuine intention. He prayed for forgiveness and encouraged the Fulani and Hausa to show more love to one another. “Some of us were born in this community, but we had to move elsewhere. Even our wives were afraid of coming to the town. We went back to a crude form of life.”
“We now have respite; we can move freely and intermingle with people from different parts of the community. This is a clear departure from the recent past. We were confined to the bush and only saw the town from afar. That was how I have been living in the past seven years. We thank Almighty Allah and the authorities for this peace pact,” he said.

Suleiman Yas Power, who was full of smile, was delighted to have sold his cow at the Birnin Gwari cattle market, something he could not do in previous years. While displaying a wad of money, he prayed for the peace pact to be sustained so that the town would bubble with economic activities, attracting people from far and near. He assured that on their part, they would continue to honour and respect the pact.
Another Fulani chieftain, Alhaji Isa, said they would listen to the government and abide by the peace pact. He called on government to check the activities of some vigilante members in neighbouring Zara, Gidigodi in Niger State, who were allegedly stopping the free movement of trucks loaded with cattle. The Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, Mr. Salisu Isa, could not hide his excitement as his council headquarters was bustling with activities again, after a very long time of uncertainty due to attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.

During the crisis period, even the local council was moved to Kaduna, as bandits had vandalized critical assets and infrastructure in Birnin-Gwari. All banks were razed, the Post Office destroyed, schools vandalised. Only the military and other security forces could remain to stop the criminals from completely annexing the historic town that has carved a niche as a major gateway to the South-Western part of Nigeria.
“I express my gratitude to my boss, our Governor, Senator Uba Sani and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu for this initiative, the Emir, LG staff, the Mallams and all others,” the LG chairman said. He said in order to sustain and maintain the peace accord, the council inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation Committee that meets regularly, which comprised of key stakeholders from the government, the Hausa and Fulani communities, and others.
Mr. Isa called on interested investors in agriculture, to use the opportunity and key into the agric sector, as Birnin-Gwari had the potential of feeding the entire North with maize and other crops. The Sarkin Zango Birnin Gwari, Hambali Muhammad, who was in charge of the cattle market, said the cattle market has not been operational for over 10 years due to banditry.
“Today, over 50 trucks loaded with livestock left to different parts of this country. The market is back on track. All praises to Almighty Allah,” he said. At the grains market, 25-year-old Yusuf Ibrahim Jonga, said one of the benefits of the peace pact was that they now have contacts with the Fulani, unlike before.
“We now communicate with the Fulani, they tell us their grudges and we find ways to resolve issues. “
” Now, the Birnin-Gwari- Lagos Road is accessible 24 hours, vehicles are now plying the road comfortably, without any fear of attack by bandits, unlike before. Economic activity has picked up. Farmers have started clearing farm lands ahead of the next planting season. ” “I lost two brothers during the crisis, my relatives at Randagi area were dislodged. But now we are grateful to Almighty Allah for this peace pact,” he said.
Another farmer, Malam Mustapha said nothing could be more enjoyable than the freedom to move and interact “We see them now; they see us too. The Fulani in the bush and we the Hausa in the town. We are now together enjoying peace and harmony, ” he said.
“Now, we can go to where we couldn’t go, before, during the crisis period. We buy and sell, Alhamdulillah,” he said. “There are places in the forest where we could not plant crops. This year we are going to cultivate in these forests,” he said.
He called on the people to feel free and visit the Birnin-Gwari grains market, a market, he said, had in the past attracted buyers from neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameron.
At the Buruku market, the situation was peaceful and calm, with buying and selling going on, under the careful watch of market and LG officials. A local trader said over 100 trucks departed the market full of farm produce, to different parts of the country.
The Sabon Birni community near the Kaduna International Airport, which was a no-go area due to banditry weeks ago, was in a festive mood on Sunday as people from far and near trooped to the market.
The District Head of the community was full of praises for Governor Uba Sani and NSA Ribadu, calling on government to rebuild infrastructures in the community like schools and others, which were affected during the crisis period.
The Dan Masanin Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Idris AbdulRauf, was optimistic that ultimate peace would return in the entire state and beyond.From Birnin Gwari, Buruku, Sabon Birni Daji,Kidandan and Giwa, bandits have keyed into the peace process and life was returning to normal.