Zamfara Gov. To Continue ‘Peace Process’ With Bandits Despite Warning From Buhari

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has said his administration “is
going to continue with peace process with bandits considering its
impacts in addressing security challenges facing the state,”
despite last Friday’s abduction of 317 schoolgirls from by the
criminals.

Many analysts have said that the abduction of the abducted
students of Government Science Secondary School, Jangebe by bandits
was evidence that the Governor’s policy of appeasing criminals with
money and expensive gifts to dissuade them from engaging in
criminal activities is not working.

President Muhammadu Buhari had also warned governors against
appeasing bandits kidnapping and killing villages across the
Northwest Nigeria with cash and vehicles to stop them from carrying
out their nefarious activities.

The President had noted that such gifts will serve as incentives
for the bandits to engage in more criminal action in a statement he
released in reaction to the kidnapping of Jangebe students.

But while assuring that the abducted Jangebe students will be
released very soon, the Governor indicated that he will continue
with ‘peace process’ with the bandits.

Matawalle stated this in Gusau on Sunday while receiving the
federal government delegation which was in the state for sympathy
visit over the abduction of the children.

“We are using the leaders of the repentant bandits to rescue the
schoolgirls from the kidnappers.

“Very soon we are going to witness the release of the
abductees”, the governor said

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for sending the
delegation to symphathise the state over what he described as “ugly
act”.

Special prayers were offered for the release of the schoolgirls
during the visit.

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has said his administration “is
going to continue with peace process with bandits considering its
impacts in addressing security challenges facing the state,”
despite last Friday’s abduction of 317 schoolgirls from by the
criminals.

Many analysts have said that the abduction of the abducted
students of Government Science Secondary School, Jangebe by bandits
was evidence that the Governor’s policy of appeasing criminals with
money and expensive gifts to dissuade them from engaging in
criminal activities is not working.

President Muhammadu Buhari had also warned governors against
appeasing bandits kidnapping and killing villages across the
Northwest Nigeria with cash and vehicles to stop them from carrying
out their nefarious activities.

The President had noted that such gifts will serve as incentives
for the bandits to engage in more criminal action in a statement he
released in reaction to the kidnapping of Jangebe students.

But while assuring that the abducted Jangebe students will be
released very soon, the Governor indicated that he will continue
with ‘peace process’ with the bandits.

Matawalle stated this in Gusau on Sunday while receiving the
federal government delegation which was in the state for sympathy
visit over the abduction of the children.

“We are using the leaders of the repentant bandits to rescue the
schoolgirls from the kidnappers.

“Very soon we are going to witness the release of the
abductees”, the governor said

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for sending the
delegation to symphathise the state over what he described as “ugly
act”.

Special prayers were offered for the release of the schoolgirls
during the visit.