Seven “repentant” bandits have surrendered their weapons in Zamfara State to embrace the state’s peace accord, the government said on Friday.
Governor Bello Matawalle’s spokesman Zailani Bappa in a statement said the bandits surrendered 14 dangerous weapons at the Government House, the smallest of them being an AK-47 rifle.
He said, “Seven hardened bandits in Zamfara State have softened and repented as they surrendered their weapons to embrace the peace accord instituted by Governor Bello Mohammed’s administration to end the decade-old banditry in the state.
“The repentant bandits surrendered 14 dangerous weapons, the smallest among them being the popular AK 47. They publicly surrendered the weapons to Governor Bello Mohammed at the Government House today.
“The State Commissioner for Security Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran who presented them to Governor Matawalle said they willingly took the decision to accept the peace offered by the Governor and will accept to be re-integrated into the society.
“Governor Matawalle accepted their resolve as they took an oath with the Holy Quran not to either go back to their past ways or become informants for their former colleagues who have yet to key into the peace process.
“Governor Matawalle promised to continue with the peace process in the state, employing the carrot and stick approach towards a successful end to the menace in the state.”
Mr Bappa said the bandits were received in the presence of some traditional rulers in the state and a number of Islamic clerics.
The weapons have been handed over to the police.
