There was outrage on Wednesday after a viral video showed armed bandits moving freely through a police checkpoint in Nigeria’s North-West, with officers allegedly seen waving and directing the gunmen as they passed.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident reportedly occurred along a route between Zamfara and Sokoto states, two of the areas hardest hit by banditry in recent years.
In the footage, a large convoy of gunmen riding motorcycles and carrying rifles was seen approaching and passing through the checkpoint without resistance. Some officers in uniform appeared to gesture at the riders, seemingly allowing them unhindered passage.
A voice, believed to be that of the person filming, was heard speaking in Hausa, lamenting the situation.
“Bandits with their weapons are moving freely,” the narrator said before another occupant in the vehicle cautioned him to remain silent, saying, “Please keep quiet, why are you talking?”
Security sources familiar with the development confirmed that the video was recorded recently, although the exact date could not be independently verified as of press time.
Efforts to get official reaction from the police authorities were unsuccessful on Wednesday, as calls and messages sent to spokespersons in the affected commands were not returned.
The development has, however, sparked fresh concerns over possible compromise within security ranks and the worsening state of insecurity across the region.
Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and parts of Niger State have continued to witness relentless attacks by armed groups, who engage in mass abductions, killings, and cattle rustling despite sustained military operations.
Residents in many rural communities have repeatedly accused security operatives of either arriving late to attack scenes or failing to confront the assailants decisively.
The latest video is likely to intensify public scrutiny of security agencies and renew calls for a thorough investigation into alleged collusion or negligence by personnel deployed to volatile areas.
In 2019, the Zamfara State Government under former governor, Bello Matawalle, entered into a controversial peace deal with bandit groups in a bid to end the violence. The agreement, however, failed to halt attacks, as killings and kidnappings persisted across the state.
Security analysts have warned that without accountability and improved intelligence coordination, efforts to curb banditry in the North-West may continue to yield limited results.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to confirm the authenticity of the video or announce any probe into the incident.
FOLLOW US
FOR MORE HERE
