Why we repented, by Zamfara ex-bandits

The Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed has assured of his administration’s commitment to bring lasting peace in the state.

The governor made this known while receiving three repentant bandits who surrendered two Ak-47 rifles and some ammunition at a mini-ceremony at the Government House, Gusau.

The repentant bandits, who operated around Bakura Local Government Area of the state, said they decided to embrace the Zamfara State Peace and Reconciliation process to lay down their arms out of their free will and for peace to reign in the state.

Governor Muhammad said his administration is determined to bring lasting peace to the state through genuine reconciliation and disarmament to ensure a peaceful state where everyone can live without any fear of being attacked.

He said only dialogue can resolve the insecurity situation bedevilling the state and the country at large and the return of lasting peace.   Governor Muhammad stated that no war or crisis ends through the use of force but peace.

He also appealed to the people of the state to assist his government in sustaining the peace so far achieved in the ongoing fight against banditry and other criminalities.

He further commended the security agencies in the state for carrying out their work professionally. He assured them of his continued support and co-operation.

Muhammad added that security is the responsibility of all well-meaning citizens. He urged people to avoid any act of injustice to one another as doing so causes many people to subscribe to criminality.

The governor attributed the proliferation of arms as the major causes of banditry in Nigeria which necessitated his administration to give disarmament more attention in order to reduce the free movement of arms and ammunition to the minimum.

The governor also called on the unrepentant bandits that are yet to accept the state peace process to come forward and embrace the process and surrender their arms.

The Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Mohammed Dauran said the repentant bandits accepted to lay down their arms following the constant calls and appeals from the state government under the leadership of Governor Matawalle.

Receiving the surrendered arms the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police Mr Abutu Yaro said the Zamfara State peace, reconciliation and disarmament has been recording a lot of successes as people are enjoying relative peace in all parts of the state.

Leader of the repentant bandits, Amadu Katare said they made the decision to embrace the state’s peace process as a result of the way and manner the governor is handling the process with total sincerity and commitment.

He said, since the coming of Matawalle’s administration and the introduction of the peace initiative, they have been following to see if it was the usual deceit but realised that the governor is out to do justice to every citizen of the state.

Amadu Katare explained that he was forced to join banditry following the extra-judicial killing of his parents, children and wives by the local vigilante.