Don’t be reactive in tackling banditry, Ganduje tells security agents 
Notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide, has reportedly dealt a heavy blow on a faction of Boko Haram led by Sadiku in a clash that claimed over 20 fighters in the North.

In tackling the menace of banditry and kidnapping in the country, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has advised security operatives to be proactive.

In a video circulating online, Gide triumphantly showcased a trove of weapons purportedly seized from the defeated Sadiku group, including 10 AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, mobile phones and an identification card belonging to a member of Sadiku’s faction.

Gide, in an address captured on video, declared, “Sadiku and his men ambushed us, but we prevailed. Our losses were minimal, while their casualties amounted to at least 20.”

He condemned the Sadiku faction for its brutal tactics, accusing them of ruthlessly targeting innocent civilians, including women and children, in the guise of religious extremism.

According to Zagazola Makama on his X handle, this decisive victory highlights the intricate and ever-evolving power struggles within the region, where various criminal and extremist groups engage in a complex web of alliances and bitter rivalries.

The conflict between Gide and the Sadiku faction is deeply rooted in personal vendetta, ignited by the tragic killing of Gide’s brother, Sani, by Boko Haram in 2023. This act of violence ignited a fierce desire for revenge, fuelling Gide’s relentless campaign to expel Boko Haram elements from his sphere of influence.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fluid and unpredictable nature of the security situation in the North West.

GANDUJE stated this, yesterday, during a sympathy visit to Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, the APC boss expressed concern about the reactive approach often adopted by security agencies, stressing the need for proactive and decisive measures targeting the criminal elements hiding in forests.

He advocated military intervention in forests, as successfully implemented during his tenure as Kano State governor, where the Falgore Forest was transformed into a military training ground, eliminating criminal activities in the area.

“We sincerely condole with the government and good people of Niger, the families of the deceased and the injured ones.

“We appreciate how you keep Niger safe because it has the largest land mass and with the highest number of forests in the country, which is a herculean task to keep the peace within its environs,” he stated.

Ganduje also conveyed condolences to the people of Niger over the recent tanker explosion that claimed numerous lives.