At Last, Peace is Returning to Zamfara State -By Bashir Aliyu Limanci

Over the past four years, insecurity had been the most pressing issue in Zamfara state. Hundreds of people were massively killed and hundreds more were kidnapped, including school children and hapless villagers who only aim to live in peace and eke out a living to keep their bodies and souls together. Security deteriorated in the state because the terrorists had been able to threaten, kill and kidnap people without any consequence. The new tactic deployed by the bandits employed issuing threats to villagers who tried to snitch and most of the mass killings were aimed at deterring them from leaking out information to the authorities or retaliation. People were terrified and thousands of people were forced to flee to Gusau and the Niger Republic. Zamfara state was so outstretched by terrorist activities that people were further cornered as telecommunication was cut off and other policies such as closing down community markets were adopted. Insecurity and economic hardship were what defined Zamafara state over the past four years.

However, all hope is not lost. Zamfara is gradually returning to normalcy, thanks to the giant strides recorded by Bello Matawalle and security operatives who in many circumstances lose their lives while trying to protect us.

However, given the recent developments in the state, security forces have been able to weaken the terrorists with massive air power which makes it harder for the terrorists to regroup and stage another attack on villages. The community policing initiated by Governor Bello Matawalle encouraged communities to be vigilant and play proactive roles when it came to dealing with strange faces, which has yielded the desired result.

Insecurity is far from over, but at least Zamfara is heaving a sigh of relief as no mass acts of terrorists are staged in the state for several weeks. It is a sign that peace is returning and we hope to witness more improvements in Zamfara over the next few months. May Allah bring peace to my second home, Zamfara, and give Bello Matawalle and our security forces the strength to prosecute this fight to its logical conclusion. I hope the relative peace would enable the state governor to focus more on capital projects and industrialization which are an integral part of everlasting peace and prosperity in any society.

Bashir Aliyu Limanci wrote in from Anka local government, Zamfara State.