Repentant bandits turn in weapons in Plateau

Special Adviser to the Plateau Governor on Security and Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brigadier General Gakji Shipi (rtd), has announced that the non-kinetic approach to security challenges in the state is yielding results.

He disclosed that seven notorious bandits have surrendered and handed over their weapons, including AK-47 rifles, to security agencies.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, General Shipi (rtd) commended the security agencies, vigilantes, and hunters in Wase local government area for their recent efforts in combating banditry and other security threats.

He noted that the cooperation of these groups had facilitated the surrender of the weapons.

According to General Shipi (rtd), the bandits were initially hesitant to surrender due to fear of retaliation, but they eventually chose to renounce violence and return their weapons voluntarily.

He emphasized that the rising incidents of armed banditry prompted security agencies to expand their focus beyond known hotspots to other areas.

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The special adviser attributed this achievement to the collaborative efforts of the Wase local government authorities, local vigilante groups, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police.

He said, “For quite some time now, we have been taking a look at the security situation bedevilling the state and apart from the kinetic approach, we have decided to adopt the non-kinetic means to solve the problem.

“We have also decided to shift attention to other areas, especially Wase local government area, which had had fair share of armed banditry and the endeavours have started recording success.

“Some of the criminals and bandits have returned their weapons to us and you know we are still negotiating, but for fear of being prosecuted, some of them have surrendered their weapons to us without coming out, but with the confidence measures we are building more will return their weapons as well as surrender to the authorities.

“We have started negations with them and you know these negotiations take time and it also takes time to build trust and for them to show good will have started to return their weapons.”

Shipi, who did not disclose the number of bandits that had so far surrendered said, “So far seven AK 47 have been returned and if we take it that one belongs to one bandit, that means seven of them has renounced banditry. But as I said we are still negotiating.”

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