GOVERNOR MATAWALLE SECURES RELEASE OF 26 KIDNAPPED GIRLS, INSISTS DIALOGUE WITH BANDITS IS PRICELESS
Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has secured the release of 26 girls abducted by bandits.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment,Media, and communications, Zailani Bappa, on Sunday, November 8.
The victims, who are between the age of 8 and 12, were kidnapped by bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and taken to bandit camps in Zamfara State.
Governor Matawalle, who received the rescued girls after their release, insisted that dialogue with bandits is "priceless" in the fight against banditry.
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He reiterated that his administration would not abandon the peace dialogue with bandits as firepower alone cannot solve the problem of banditry in Zamfara and other States facing similar security threats.
The Governor 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 and unhurt, is indeed, priceless”.
All the girls, who are indigenes of Katsina State, were said to have regained freedom without the payment of any ransom.
According to the statement, the victims were discovered by the Zamfara State government and got released through negotiations.
The negotiation was done under the supervision of the Commissioner Of Police and Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs in Zamfara, who have been in constant dialogue with bandits on behalf of the State Government.
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After their release, the girls were medically checked and provided with new clothes, while Governor Matawalle ordered their safe return to Katsina to be reunited with their families.
Eon Intelligence had reported that bandits abducted the district head of Lingyado village and four others on Sunday, October 25 in Zamfara State.
Sequel to this, the Zamfara State Government said it has stationed 80 combined Police Mobile, Soldiers and Civil Defence like many vulnerable areas in the state to counter threat posed by recalcitrant bandits.
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