Zamfara Banditry: Governor Dauda Lawal’s Commissioner, Abdulmalik Gajam: Throwing Stones at Glass House
3 min read
By Ahmed Musa.
Let me go down historic memory lane of how Banditry activites began in the north-west bandits ridden Nigerian state of Zamafara .
A popular Hausa Proverb once said, “MAI DOKAR KWANA BAYA ANGAJE” literally meaning, He who says Others should not sleep, Should not be found dozing.
In fact, my heart bleeds when I heard Abdulmalik Gajam, one of Governor Dauda Lawal’s cabinet members that decides the fate of innocent, vulnerable and good people of Zamfara State, alleging that the immediate past Governor of Zamfara state, Hon (Dr) Bello Muhammad, Matawllen Maradun, MFR, has once purchased and distributed Hilux cars to Bandits. He went on to say that the former Governor also gave asylum to bandits.
My heart bleeds, particularly, when it goes down memory lane of the genesis of the mayhem and the sorrow that banditry has brought to innocent lives across north western Nigeria.
People may not have forgotten in a hurry, the case of the first person that was arrested when banditry started in 2011/2012 in Zamfara State, when His Excellency, Ambassador Gajam was the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Commissioner Abdulmalik Gajam was a young boy then, so he might not have been in the picture of this story, otherwise he would have regretted raising the issue of the fight against banditry in Zamfara State.
I, therefore, simply want the Hon Commissioner for budget and planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, to find out who that person that was first arrested with AK 47 rifles was.
Again, I would like to ask Hon Abdulmalik Gajam, the assumed Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration spokesperson to tell the world who Buharin Daji is to the Gajam’s family?
If I may help out, Buharin Daji and Ambassador Gajam, who is a father to Hon Abdulmalik Gajam are of the same parents.
If not for the Buharin Daji, who is a biological uncle to Dauda Lawal’s spokesperson, (Hon Gajam) the people of Zamfara in particular, and Northern Nigeria in general, would not have known what banditry and bandits are.
The sadness and sorrow, the pains and agony that bandits have brought upon millions of people across north western Nigeria emanated from the Gajam family.
Not until recently, when former Gov Matawalle took the bold actions resulting from his wisdom to strategically planned, prepared and executed far reaching decisions to tackle insecurity in the state, which His Excellency, Gov Dauda Lawal is now copying without wisdom, culminating into huge failure of his government to fight the escalating security challenges in the state, bandits would have
completely taken over the whole of Northern Nigerian.
Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi States would never forget so soon, the atrocities committed by Buharin Daji, whose name spreads like wildfire, especially, for killing, kidnapping, raping, cattle rustling and collection of ransom from innocent villagers, initiated, organized and executed by Hon. Gajam’s uncle before he was killed on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, by one of his former boys, Dogo Gide and his decomposed body brought to Gusau, the state capital on March 9.
Abdulmalik Gajam’s uncle promised to commit the most deadliest horror to the entire north western Nigeria before he was gunned down by one of his rival bandits Dogo Gide, following disagreement on sharing rustled cows.
Gajam, being a young man without prerequisite knowledge and experience in governance, just like his Principal, should desist from fighting former Gov Bello Matawalle, abandoning the basic responsibility of government which has caused further damage to the lives and property of innocent people across villages and towns in Zamfara State.
I, therefore, urge Gov Dauda Lawal to focus on the fight against banditry in Zamfara State rather than concentrating on a battle he cannot win.
Ahmed Musa is a Public Affairs Commentator and writes from Zamafara.
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