Arewa Forum for Good Governance praises Kaduna governor for granting bandits amnesty

GOVERNOR Uba Sani of Kaduna State has been commended by the Arewa Forum for Good Governance (AFGG) for granting an amnesty to repentant bandits operating in the state as part of a programme to bring about peace.

Of late, Kaduna State has been plagued with banditry, with Birnin Gwari Local Government Area in the southwest of the state being particularly badly affected. In some parts of Birnin Gwari, the bandits set local taxes and bar farmers who do not pay up from going to their farms, effectively, operating as the government.

On Thursday, Governor Sani received the first batch of repentant bandits in Birnin Gwari, signalling what he hoped would mark an end to the crisis. Hailing the governor for his leadership style, AFGG said he has set the trail to end the activities of bandits in northern Nigeria.

In a statement signed by Dr Kabiru Ibrahim Bichi, the AFGG added that with several senior bandit leaders coming out to surrender their arms and embrace peace, alongside their followers, there is hope that banditry can be tackled once and for all. Their statement added: “The decision to consider dialogue and amnesty for the bandits for peace to reign in the region is not only laudable but a creative approach to ending what has destroyed the image and hindered progress and development of the north and its people.

“We have clamoured for amnesty for bandits as means to end the incessant attacks and killings of our people. With this singular effort, we can confidently say there is ray of light now.

“The good thing about the programme is that it adheres to international standards of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, ensuring that these individuals can return to society as productive citizens. The good news also is that the governor promised that these individuals are going to be enrolled in a rehabilitation programme designed by the State Government in partnership with the federal government for reintegration and complete ceasefire."