The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Bello Matawalle, has informed that the state government is no longer interested in dialoguing with bandits since they have rejected the olive branch earlier extended to them. The Governor who spoke in Gusau, the state capital, stated that instead of dialogue, security forces would sustain efforts to flush them out.
“My administration will no longer grant amnesty to bandits as they have failed to embrace the peace initiative earlier extended to them,’’ the governor said while addressing a congregation.
He urged residents to be patient and support new security measures put in place to flush out bandits and their collaborators to restore peace in the state.
Matawalle said the barrage of attacks on bandits by security forces had made them make a fresh overture to the government, seeking dialogue.
He said that their emissaries had informed him that they have repented and would want to dialogue with the government.
He noted that some of the bandits were running out of Zamfara to other states as a result of the new security measures introduced by the state government.
The Governor warned politicians against giving any form of support to bandits, advising them to “fear God and stop buying motorcycles to distribute to people who in turn sell to bandits to perpetrate their evil acts.’’
He warned that the government would prosecute any politician caught in the act.
Meanwhile, commercial activities in the state have been halted following the two-week suspension of telecommunication networks by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).
All banking services, mobile telephone services, internet, and other related services have also been suspended.