Dialogue With Bandits Still Relevant, As Matawalle Secures Release Of 26 Minor Girls

From Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani

Governor Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun) has said that dialogue with bandits is still relevant just as he secured the release of 26 Katsina State indigent girls, all of them minors, from bandits without payment of ransom.

The girls who were kidnapped by bandits in Faskari local government area of Katsina state were brought into the bushes of Zamfara state but were miraculously discovered by the state Government and got released through negotiations held under the state Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran who is in constant dialogue on behalf of the Government with bandits in the state on the need to embrace peace and live a normal life.

Governor Matawalle who received the rescued girls said his administration will not abandon the peace dialogue with bandits as fire power alone cannot solve the problem of banditry in the state.

He said, “this is a testimony to our vision for engaging the bandits in peace dialogue. For those who believe we are wrong to dialogue with the bandits, the securing of these minors who are all girls, unhurt, is indeed, priceless”.

The 26 rescued girls, whose ages ranges between 8 and 12 were medically checked and provided with new clothes. Governor Matawalle ordered for their safe return to Katsina state.

This latest rescue brings the total number of those released by bandits in the last one week to more than 40.

In a related development, on 3rd November, 2020, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has successfully secured the unconditional release of nine (9) persons abducted by armed bandits 2 months ago in Jibia LGA of Katsina State. Among the abducted persons were 2 Judges working with Zamfara State Judiciary.
The intervention of Zamfara State Governor has always led to the freedom of abducted citizens without the payment of ransome by any party. Through his dialogue and reconciliation process, several groups of armed bandits have layed down their arms and embrace peaceful coexisting in the state.