BEVERLY HILLS, February 09, (THEWILL) – A notorious bandit, Auwalu Daudawa, along with six members of his gang, yesterday embraced the ongoing peace negotiation initiated by Zamfara State’s Governor Bello Matawalle.
The repentant bandits surrendered 20 units of AK47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Machine Gun (RPG), one Anti-Aircraft Rifle, one GPM and 27 magazines.
Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abutu Yaro, displayed the surrendered weapons yesterday.
He also displayed 14 motorcycles and several camouflage military uniforms recovered from fleeing bandits, who blocked Zamfara-Funtua road on February 2 to rob commuters.
Daudawa and the others declared their repentance from banditry before Governor Matawalle and security agents in Gusau.
Speaking on behalf of his repentant fellow felons, Daudawa sought the forgiveness of the state government and the people of the state.
Governor Matawalle commended the gang leader and his members for denouncing banditry and keying into the peace process of the state government.
Matawalle also lauded the council of Ulama and residents of the state for supporting the process.
The Governor said: “We are going ahead with the process as agreed with all stakeholders in the state. We are in this dialogue to ensure sustainable peace in the state. We are committed to that and we are working day and night to achieve the goal.
“We thank Daudawa and his members for their repentance and implore them to join hands with the state government in convincing others to also repent.”
He urged other bandits to subscribe to the state government’s peace initiative.
“Today we have more than 20 AK-47s released by the former bandits, this is very commendable. I call on people of the state to pray for Daudawa and his team so that he can maintain his oath. We should give them the benefit of the doubt as we are going to provide them with accommodation in the town. We are going to assist them to improve their livelihood in the town,” Matawalle said.
It was learnt the bandits operated one of the largest and the most notorious camps located at Dumburum forest in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.
