Some repentant bandits have surrendered 216 rifles, mostly AK47 to the Zamfara State
Government in Nigeria’s north-west zone, according to the Director-General, Press
Affairs to the governor, Bello Matawalle.
Matawalle said the governor confirmed the takeover of the arms when he received former
Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) at the Government House, Gusau on Sunday.
He said that most of the weapons were voluntarily returned to the government by the repentant
Bandits, who have embraced peace.
The governor described the elder statesman’s visit to the state as timely and sought for
professional advice from the retired general on the best practicable ways to end banditry
in the state.
“Nigeria now needs more of his personality with the current situation of banditry,
kidnapping and other heinous crimes in order to advise current leaders in handling the
terrible situation.
“He further said that tapping from the wealth of Gowon’s experience as a former Army
General and Head of State, who fought for the corporate existence of the country will assist
his administration positively on security, intelligence and intervention.
On his government efforts to end the menace of banditry, the governor informed Gowon
that his administration has adopted various methods that included reconciliation.
The reconciliation, he said, had started to yield positive results as over 216 AK47 rifles had
been surrendered to the authorities by the bandits.
In his response, Gowon said he was in the state for his Nigeria Pray initiative, to pray for an
end to the violence in the Northwest and seek God’s blessings and wisdom for leaders to
offer good governance as well as sustainable unity in the country.
Gowon enjoined all well-meaning citizens of the state to continue to pray for peace and
unity of the country and Zamfara State.
MM/GIK/APA