1,000 bandits surrender weapons in Zamfara

At least 1,000 bandits from 14 different camps in Zurmi local government area of Zamfara state have surrendered their weapons and promised never to be  involved in any banditry in future.

Speaking at Gidan Jaja village, Zurmi local government area  on Sunday , the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigeria Army, Kaduna, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade said the Army would not relent on its operation in the state until the state is cleared of bandits.

The GOC, represented by the Brigade Commander, 1 Brigade, Sokoto, Brigadier General Ginikanwa Nwosu said the operation was started as  part of the concerted efforts to resolve the issue of livestock rustling and armed banditry in 1 Division Nigerian Army area of responsibility, it will continue to comb the deepest parts of the

“Either the bandits like it or not, banditry must stop in Zamfara State. Therefore, it is better for them to renounce banditry and surrender their weapons now or be forced to do so,” he warned.

Speaking on behalf of the 14 camp leaders,  Samaila Samaho Tsannu blamed the neglect of the Fulani communities by the state  government and unlawful killings of the Fulanis in the state by the volunteer vigilante known as ‘Yan Sakai’ over false allegations for the reprisal attacks by the armed bandits.

The bandit leader urged the state government to provide basic amenities such as dams, health centres, schools to make life comfortable for  those in the rural areas, particularly the herdsman.

Earlier, the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku said the renouncement and surrendering of weapons by the bandits were positive developments as it would lead to the total eradication of banditry in the local government and other parts of the state.

Zamfara State governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar who received the repentant armed bandits and the weapons surrendered by the bandits said the state government would ensure that lives and property of the herdsmen and everybody in the state were protected.