Paul Ibe, a spokesman of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has questioned the release of 25 suspected bandits by the police in Zamfara.
Spokesman of Zamfara police had in a statement on Friday said the police facilitated the release of the herders which includes men, women and children, who were arrested on April 9 by vigilantes locally known as Yansakai.
The state chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association had in an earlier meeting with Zamfara governor, accused local vigilantes of arbitrary arrests, torture, and branding of all Fulani herders as thieves and bandits.
“The release of the victims is in line with the ongoing peace and dialogue mission initiated by the state government,” police said.
Displeased by the release, Mr Ibe accused the police of endorsing crime and criminality.
“What is going on? How come the Police is now ‘brokering peace’ between bandits and vigilante in Zamfara instead of arresting the criminals and charging them to court. This, to all intents and purposes, is an official endorsement of crime and criminality,” he said.
