Bandits seek truce with Katsina govt, prepared to lay down arms

Terrorist groups and their leaders are seeking peace agreement with the Katsina State government, declaring that they are willing to lay down arms and reach out to the state government for a robust peace agreement which both side shall be committed to.

The Special Adviser to the Katsina State Governor on Security Matters, Ibrahim Ahmad Katsina who made the above disclosure during a media chat with newsmen in Katsina, also insisted that the bandits’ leaders have realised what the future holds for them through the state government’s plan to consolidate a realisable future and a framework for growth and development for them.

He said” the existing courage mechanism being built by the state government on the citizens had since started yielding positive results with the rate of banditry attacks reducing to the barest minimum.

“Criminal activities such as banditry, kidnapping and other related crimes will soon end in recognition of the combined efforts of the citizens and the government to assist the security agencies.”

He further recalled that the state government has recently trained 1,100 highly educated community vigilante corps that are volunteers and are ready to assist their communities to survive, an effort, which he said is a message to the bandits to embrace peace.

He explained that, the state government has inaugurated a high powered committee under the chairmanship of the state deputy governor to take census of banditry affected victims which he said is unprecedented.

This, he said, was to ensure that the victims have not become vulnerable and also to avert another circle of violence after the end of banditry.

He said:” So, we are applying simple psychological measures to manage the perception of the children of the banditry affected victims. This is because; the children of those affected by banditry attacks will surely like to take revenge, so that’s why we want to suffocate them.

“We will provide the widows with gainful employment opportunities, skills and trades, and their children will be taken to schools. This effort is yielding positive results.

The Special Adviser on Security Matters assured the good people of the state that the forthcoming 2023 general election will be held in the most peaceful and democratic manner across all parts of the state.