Ex-Army Chief Dambazau Laments Terrorists Now Collect Taxes, Make Laws For Northern Nigeria Communities

A former Minister of Interior and retired Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), has raised the alarm over the worsening insecurity in Northern Nigeria. 

He warned that the situation has deteriorated to the point where bandits and insurgents have taken control of several communities, collecting taxes and enforcing their own laws. 

Dambazau, who spoke on Monday at the First Media and Security Summit held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, said insecurity in the region has persisted for over two decades, claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions without decisive action from government authorities.

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

“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 lamented.

“Thousands have been killed and millions displaced. The number of widows and orphans has increased, farmers have lost their farmlands, and herders’ cattle have been rustled — all without any meaningful response from state actors,” he added.

The retired general urged northern governors to stop over-reliance on federal allocations by establishing Ministries of Mineral Resources in their states and working with relevant federal agencies to harness natural resources, create jobs, and reduce poverty — which he identified as one of the root causes of insecurity.

He also called for the restoration of the traditional institution’s authority, massive investment in agriculture, education for out-of-school children, and policies promoting social inclusion.

“Over 70 percent of those suffering from poverty occasioned by insecurity are from the North. Religious extremism is another major threat to security and has emboldened groups like Boko Haram, the ‘Lakurawa’ terrorists, and armed bandits to unleash violence on our people,” he warned.

Speaking earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, emphasized that security should not be left to government alone, stressing the need for unity and dialogue among Nigerians.

“Security is everybody’s responsibility. We were not like this before; Nigeria was not what it is today. We can solve the problem by coming together, understanding ourselves, and implementing decisions that will restore peace,” the Sultan said.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who also spoke at the summit, said the insecurity ravaging the North—particularly the North West—requires collective action and a deep understanding of its underlying causes.

“Insecurity in the North West is worrisome. The summit should examine the root causes — it may be linked to climate change and other socio-economic factors,” he said.

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State described the summit as a timely intervention aimed at tackling the region’s deepening security and developmental challenges.

“This gathering provides us with the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the North and to find workable solutions,” Idris stated.