Zamfara State Government has reaffirmed that, it’s strategy of stick and carrot approach in its fight against banditry activities remain enforce saying it is passionate to ensuring a lasting peace in the state.
Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle stated this through his Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment Media and Communication Malam Zailani Bappa noted that, those are willing to accept peace will see peace and those believe they can do other wise they will be dealt with decisively.
The statement read further, “some individuals and groups have over the last few days, expressed their concerns over Governor Bello Mohammed’s peace process with bandits in the state, some of them alleging neglect in favour of the repentant bandits. They cited some recent banditry attacks on certain communities where they alleged non action on the part of the Security agencies in favour of the peace road map” Mr Bappa added.
Zailani Bappa noted further that contrary to these unfounded statement made by the public, the present administration of Matawalle remain resolve and passionate to championing peace effort through any measures.
The position of Mataealle’s administration is very clear which is a carrot and stick approach to the dialogue and peace process. Those who refuse to accept the peace process and those who renege on it are squarely being faced with the wrath of the state’s operation Hadarin Daji.
Mr Bappa explained further that, the effort of the government in recent days led to the rescue of 12 abductees, including the District Head of Wuta, killing of nine bandits and arrest of 12 others and recovery of 63 rustle cattle in separate operations held in Gidan Usman, Gidan Baba Goji, Gadauna, Gidan Janari, Kekuwaje, Gidan Sarki, Gardi and Bingi all in Bungudu Local Government Area
Similarly, the operation, with support of the state Government, succeeded in intercepting 9 bandits who rustled 600 heads of cattle and 300 heads of goats in Gusau Local Government Area.
“Last month, the operation killed 27 bandits operation along the state’s border with neighbouring Katsina and destroyed their homes at Nahuta-Doumborou while another 135 bandits were neutralised between Zamfara and Katsina state.
Moreover, a large number of bandits were killed on an air raid along Tungar Duba where 6 kidnapped persons were rescued from the fleeing bandits” Bappa added.
He added further that, “the operation killed a total of over 200 bandits in Zurmi Local Government Area last month in co-ordinate attacks following credible intelligence reports”.
This month, the operation neutralused 3 bandits and captured 4 at Yauyau and Zandam villages in the state just as it killed many bandits in one of their camps at Kwaya bana forest and arrested their notorious King pin, Dogo Gede. These are just some of the operations being executed under the supervision of His Excellency to rid the state of unrepentant bandits terrorising our communities.