“Farming is our pride” is the popular catch-phrase synonymous with Zamfara State because over 90 per cent of the people of the state are farmers who largely depend on agriculture to survive.

The state has over the years been producing large quantities of food items – both cash and food crops – which has earned it the title of the food basket of the nation.

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However, with the emergence of banditry which reared its ugly head in the state in 2009 and has defied all solutions, situation which further got out of control in 2012 has continued to make farming activities almost impossible in many parts of the state more especially the rural areas where bandits have completely taken over.

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Not a few stakeholders in the state who spoke with Arewa PUNCH stressed that it is disheartening to note that more than 70per cent of the rural dwellers who survive on farming have been forced to flee to urban areas for fear of the bandits’ attacks, while those who choose to stay behind in their villages are forced to pay levies or taxes to the bandits.

Arewa PUNCH reports that more than 200 villages are currently deserted as their inhabitants can no longer meet up with the assaults and repeated demands of the bandits, thus crippling farming activities to a near halt.

“Worse still, many of the farmlands have become grazing areas for the bandits’ animals,” observed Mallam Garba Musa, who is a large-scale farmer in the Dada community of Zurmi LGA.

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Our correspondent’s investigations reveal that some of the villages where farming has become impossible and going almost extinct due to the heavy presence of the bandits are the following areas: In Zurmi Local Government, the villages affected and already deserted are: Gidan Labbo, Tsakauna, Dogon-hako Gidan-duwan, Jididi, Asako, Gidan-oho, Dunnu, Gwamawa, Gidan-Labbobuzu, Marmaro, Takalmawa, Tukurawa, Sangamawa, Tataka, Gidan-Galasima, Gidan-zago, Kada-mutsa, Holuwai, Makosa, Judidi, Geza, Rinni and in Dadan Tsafe Local Government Area, the villages currently under the bandits’ control are: Munhaye, Dutsin Kura, Kekawa, Yarzaiga, Sabon Birnin Nakaka, Unguwar Gyauro, Matso-Matso, Magazawa, Kawasari, Bare-bari, Turba-Kucheri, Marne, Maidagalo, Yar-tsakuwar Garkuwa, Kofar Fada, Sansami and Dankutau.

In Maru Local Government, the deserted villages are: Madada, Bingi, Dandalla, Babbar Doka, Kabaro, Sangeku, Danmani, Kunjemi, Karauci, Gajeren Kauye, Saulawa, Randa, Kango, Balge, Gobirawan cali, Gidan Ardo, Bulakke and Kilin.

In Anka Local Government, the villages are: Rafin Danya, Barayar Zaki, Rafin Gero, Karfa Bawar Daji, Sunka, Tungar Kudaku, Matseri, Dankalgo, Matsafa, Nassarawa and Kawaye.

In Maradun Local Government, the villages are: Aljimma, Gwargawo, Kuzi, Ruwan Bado, Magamin Diddi, Garka, Saurar Kade, Damaga, Asarara, Burmi Gidan Adamu, Gidan Maidawa, Gidan Baushi and Wari.

In Talata-Mafara Local Government Area, the villages are: Ruwan Jema, Ruwan Gora, Dankalgo, and Ruwan Gizo.

In Gusau Local Government Area, these villages include: Madaro, Kungurmi, Dandindin, Burwaye, Burnai, Fankarfe, Dadin Zama, Bakin Dutsi, Tungar Kudi, Ruwan Mesa, Koli, Buzaye, Tungar Rakumi, Rijiya and Kwarya Tsugunne.

Speaking with journalists in his office, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Nakwada disclosed that Governor Dauda Lawal has assured that his administration would do everything humanely possible to ensure that farmers return to their farms during this farming season.

Nakwada stressed that the governor has made adequate arrangements with the security agents so that the bandits would be dealt with in order to ensure adequate security in the state.

However, he maintained that the Zamfara State Government would not negotiate with the bandits irrespective of the level of their pressure.

Nakwada added, “The administration of Governor Dauda Lawal has no plan to reconcile with the bandits.

“The state government will squarely face them and deal with them so that security will be restored by the grace of God,” he assured.