Friday, July 17, 2026

Zamfara govt advised to rehabilitate, empower repentant bandits before re-integration

Mr Rafsanjani said this would help prevent re-radicalisation and mitigate potential threats to communities in Zamfara.

• February 26, 2025
Bandits, Auwal Rafsanjani
Bandits, Auwal Rafsanjani

A civil society organisation, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, has urged the Zamfara government to implement comprehensive rehabilitation and socio-economic empowerment programmes before reintegrating repentant bandits in the state.

The executive director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Rafsanjani said this would help prevent re-radicalisation and mitigate potential threats to communities in Zamfara.

He, however, commended Governor Dauda Lawal for adopting a different approach to end banditry in the state.

Mr Rafsanjani said that the governor took the right step by launching Operation Safe Corridor, an initiative to tackle insecurity through a non-kinetic approach.

“The shift from a kinetic to a non-kinetic approach in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges aligns with the administration’s commitment to decisively tackling banditry.

“The initiative offers a safe passage for non-radicalised individuals who were drawn into banditry due to illiteracy, poverty, and other socio-economic factors,” he said.

The executive director said that the state government should intensify efforts to disrupt the cycle of banditry at various stages, including ideation, recruitment, indoctrination, and violence.

He also called for public-private partnership arrangements to enhance community awareness and counter-extremism education.

Mr Rafsanjani stressed the importance of providing psychosocial support, compensation, and reconstruction for victims of banditry to alleviate their trauma and mitigate socio-economic losses.

He urged the federal government to collaborate with the state government to ensure the successful implementation of Operation Safe Corridor. 

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Caleb Mutfwang

Health

Plateau sets 2027 agenda for improved healthcare delivery

The Plateau government says it will prioritise primary healthcare, health workforce development and improved access to quality healthcare in 2027.

Abia Governor, Alex Otti

Economy

Abia, investors partner on $145 million solar manufacturing plant

The Abia government and a consortium of local and foreign investors have intensified efforts to establish a $145 million solar manufacturing plant.

Scrap collectors

Economy

Scrap metal collection becomes source of livelihood for youths in Kazaure

Youths in the Kazaure council area of Jigawa have identified scrap metal collection as a reliable source of livelihood amid prevailing economic challenges.

ADC picks Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate

Politics

Court strikes out Amaechi’s suit against Atiku over ADC presidential ticket

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Friday struck out a pre-election dispute suit filed by ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Collage of TVs

Showbiz

Full list of FreeTV channels Nigerians can watch without paying subscription fee

The lineup includes local, international, and specialised stations.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Sport

FIFA to present first-ever championship rings to World Cup winners

The global football governing body announced that the ring presentation to winners would be held alongside the trophy presentation in a statement on Thursday.