By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has called on states affected by activities of bandits to embrace and encourage a robust synergy that would enable dialogue as a tool to fight the trend in order to have lasting peace.
” We have to arrive at a common stand to actualise a responsive approach that would bring peace especially in the Northwest axis which is more affected.”
Tambuwal made the call in Sokoto Thursday while handing over to the Sokoto command of the Nigeria Police Force102 assorted arms and 30 empty Magazines retrieved from bandits who surrendered under the state’s dialogue initiative.
He described the feat as a remarkable milestone which would not have been successful without the cooperation , support and understanding of all security agencies in the state.
” We will continue to embrace the concept to ensure the security of lives and property in Sokoto state, which we hope, other states would embrace the Sokoto model”,
According to him, the initiative which is being coordinated by the office of the state Commissioner for Security and Social Duties, Rtd. Col. Garba Moyi , needed continued viable working relationship through team work at the state and national levels for the peace of he citizenry.
” Nothing can be achieved as a state or nation without security, peace and stability”, he maintained.
Tambuwal, however, said there was also the need to further evolve a strategic concept for a responsive frame work that would provide jobs for bandits who surrendered themselves and repented against such activities.
” They should be rehabilitated and supported by a robust welfare package that would engage them in legitimate means of earning a living so that they can be useful to themselves and the society”, he called.
Responding while being handed over the surrendered weapons which comprised 23 AK47, 7GPMG, 2M4 Magazines, 50 locally made rifles among others, Mr Ibrahim Ka’oje, the state Commissioner of Police commended the initiative spare headed by the state government noting that, it was a remarkable and unprecedented achievement.
” We will continue to strengthen our operations and extend cooperation to the state government laudable security initiative in order to rid the state of all kinds of crimes. We also need the cooperation of he public”, he said.
In his brief remarks, AIG zone 10, Mr Muhammad Abubakar Mustapha acknowledged the commitment of he state government to the peace and stability of the state while urging all and sundry in the zone which comprised Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states to collectively and individually play their roles of proactively encouraging synergy by giving information, intelligence as well supporting the police and relevant security agencies.
Though, he noted that the momentum of security has considerably increased positively” With this milestone, we need to have a data base of the repentant bandits who surrendered by heir arms for appropriate monitoring of heir movements and activities”, he urged.
