Ex-Army Chief Dambazau Warns Terrorists Now Tax and Govern Northern Nigerian Communities

By Enemona Samuel Endurance | The Bureau News

BIRNIN KEBBI — Nigeria News Today: Former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), has raised fresh concerns over the escalating insecurity in Northern Nigeria, revealing that terrorists and bandits are now collecting taxes and enforcing their own laws in several communities.

“Terrorists Now Making Laws” — Dambazau

Speaking at the First Media and Security Summit held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Dambazau described the situation as dire, warning that insurgents have effectively taken control of some areas due to government inaction.

“The North has suffered from herders-farmers clashes, terrorism, and banditry. People were killed in mosques in Katsina, Borno, Zamfara, and Kano. We have gotten to a situation where bandits and insurgents have taken some of our communities, taxing and making laws for them,” Dambazau said.

He lamented that the violence has persisted for over two decades, resulting in thousands of deaths, millions displaced, and severe economic setbacks for northern communities.

Economic Reform as Security Strategy

The retired general urged northern governors to establish Ministries of Mineral Resources in their states and collaborate with federal agencies to harness natural wealth, reduce unemployment, and address poverty — which he cited as a root cause of insecurity.

“Over 70 percent of those suffering from poverty caused by insecurity are from the North. Religious extremism is another major threat to peace and has emboldened groups like Boko Haram and the so-called Lakurawa terrorists,” he said.

Dambazau also advocated for restoring traditional institutions, improving agricultural productivity, and expanding education access for out-of-school children to prevent radicalisation.

Calls for Unity and Shared Responsibility

The summit, themed “Existential Threats and National Security,” brought together top northern leaders including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and governors from Nasarawa and Kebbi States.

The Sultan stressed that security should not be left to government alone, urging citizens to take active roles in peacebuilding. “Security is everybody’s responsibility. We can solve the problem by coming together, understanding ourselves, and implementing decisions that will restore peace,” he said.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State echoed the call for a united front, noting that climate change and economic hardship may be contributing to the insecurity plaguing the North West. Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris described the summit as a “timely intervention” toward finding workable regional solutions.

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