Authorities in Zamfara have said that the ongoing dialogue with bandits that have been ransacking the state was yielding results with more of the brigands surrendering their arms.

Commissioner for security and home affairs in the state, Abubakar Dauran, stated this on Tuesday during a joint press briefing with the police at the Police Command Headquarters in Gusau.

“This has been possible through the peace and dialogue initiative introduced by our governor which led to many bandits surrendering their weapons,” Mr. Dauran said. “These 20 AK47 rifles were surrendered at once by just one gang of repentant armed bandits and l can tell you, each of these weapons is capable of killing 2,000 persons.”

“This is why the Bello Matawalle-led administration in Zamfara is standing firm on the peace and dialogue initiative which is fast bringing back peace in the state,” Dauran added.

Also speaking, the Zamfara police commissioner, Yaro Abutu, said the command would continue to support the state government’s peace initiative which he said was yielding positive results.

“Since my arrival in the state barely three months ago, we have successfully and unconditionally rescued many kidnapped victims and recovered several arms and ammunition from repentant bandits.

“These are the kinds of results we want to be recording to earn us lasting peace,” Mr. Abutu said.

Auwalu Daudawa, a repentant gang leader who promised never to return to the bush or engaged in any form of banditry, appealed to recalcitrant bandits to also embrace the peace initiative and be of good character.

The repentant six-man  gang had on Monday, surrendered 20 guns to the authorities with a promise never to return to crime. 

(NAN)