Why peace dialogue with bandits is necessary in Zamfara—Committee
Why peace dialogue with bandits is necessary in Zamfara—Committee
The ongoing peace dialogue with bandits in Zamfara State initiated by Governor Bello Matawalle in the state is necessary considering the high level of insecurity in the state, the State Committee for Finding Solution to Armed Banditry has said.
Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi a member of the committee stated this at a press conference in Gusau on Wednesday.
Shinkafi was the Governatorial Candidate of the All Progressive Grant Alliance (APGA) at the 2019 general elections in the state.
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He noted that Governor Matawalle immediately after his inauguration in May 2019 initiated peace dialogue process with bandits in order to find lasting solution to the dwindling security challenges faced by the state.
“We all know how banditry affected our dear state before initiating the dialogue under Matawalle’s administration”.
“Before, we use to record attacks in our communities on daily basis”.
“There are large number of bandits in different camps across the state a most of them are indigenes of the state”, Shinkafi said
“The bandits are more than number of the security personnel in the state.
“The government has no option than to initiate the dialogue.in order to protect lives and properties of citizens of the state”, he explained.
According to him, the dialogue yielded positive results. “because hundreds of kidnapped victims including men, women and children were released unconditionally and the general insecurity has reduced over 80 percent in the state”.
He further noted that not only Gov. Matawalle initiated dialogue with bandits in the state, even the immediate past APC-led administration in the state initiated the amnesty programme with bandits but failed due to alleged insincerity.
“The past administration in the state has recovered over 5000 arms and ammunition through the amnesty programme.
“Even the immediate past Commissioner for Local Government and Chietaincy Affairs was receiving arms from repentant bandits.
“Therefore not only Matawalle’s administration initiated the peace dialogue with bandits in Zamfara”, he added.
He lamented that Zamfara use to be the most peaceful state all over the country, “if not because the recent ugly incident of banditry activities”.
“It is very unfortunate despite the efforts that the government and security agencies are doing to address the challenges some desperate politicians are sabotaging their efforts”. he further said.
Shinkafi called on the people of the state to ignore desperate politicians who want to turn down the successes recorded by Matawalle’s administration in providing lasting peace in the state.
He further lamented the activities of information among people of the state.
“I am calling on security agencies to deal with any body found sabotaging their efforts irrespective of his position.
“At this note, I will like to commend President Muhammad Buhari’s directive to deploy additional 6000 security personnel in the state and his directives to shut any one holding AK-47”, he added.
