210 Bandits ‘Surrender’ In Sokoto, Free Captives

No fewer than two hundred and ten (210) bandits have laid down their arms in Sokoto state, northern Nigeria.

Naija News reports that this was disclosed by the commissioner for careers and security matters in the state, Garba Moyi while commenting on the recent recovery of 102 arms from the bandits.

The governor of the state, Aminu Tambuwal, handed over 102 arms and ammunition recovered from the bandits to the state police command on Friday, October 25.

According to the commissioner, the development was as a result of the peace and reconciliation initiative embarked upon by the state government. He said seven groups of bandits, with about 30 members each, have surrendered.

Moyi said the repentant bandits have released their victims, and that nobody has been kidnapped in the past three months in the state.

His words: “They have released more than 30 captives, including Nigeriens and those from other states like Zamfara and Kebbi,” he said.

“We have been dialoguing with them for a very long time and we have entered into an agreement with them. The agreement was to release all captives with them and they have done that.

“For the past three months or more, nobody was kidnapped by the bandit and no village was attacked by the bandits as it used to happen.

“The senseless killings without any reason, all that has stopped. That is part of the agreement.”

The Commissioner of Police in the state also said they were at the stage of disarmament.