Mixed reactions have continued to trail the surrendering of arms by repentant armed bandits in Zamfara State, Caliphate Trust reports.
A cross section of residents of the state expressed divergent views over the submission of arms to authorities by the repentant armed bandits with some of them endorsing the peace deal initiated by the state government.
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About two weeks ago, more than 30 rifles were surrendered by at least 13 repentant armed men, including a gang leader called Auwalu Daudawa. Daudawa is believed to be terrorising Zurmi- Gidan Jaja- Jibia axis.
“It is really very encouraging to see these armed criminals submitting their weapons. It will go a long way to bring peace to the state. People have suffered enough, there is the need for peace in this state
“I don’t know why people are criticising the peace dialogue with these people. Since the security operatives can’t stop them, then the state authorities reserve the right to opt for dialogue,’’ a resident, Jamilu Aliyu Kima, said
Another resident, Aliyu Ismail, said the peace deal had made a tremendous positive impact as he marvelled at how the armed bandits were willingly giving up their weapons to give peace a chance.
“You won’t understand that we are in serious trouble as a people until you see the calibre of weapons being surrendered by the armed men. I don’t think force would make them submit these arms. The effort should be sustained,’’ he said.
However, anoher resident, Saminu Usman, expressed scepticism over the deal, urging the security operatives to apply brute force to to the armed men hibernating in forests.
“There should be no soft landing for them, it might be a calculated attempt by these criminals to regroup. They should be smoked out of these forests.
“Their atrocities should trigger brutal response by the security operatives. They should have no breathing space. Those who want to surrender should do so and the recalcitrant should be dealt with.
“I think it is the only way that their brutal attacks on the hapless communities will come to an end. The authorities should adopt a tit-for-tat approach to end their atrocities. A group of ragtag armed criminals can’t defeat our armed forces,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle said the peace dialogue initiated by his administration had yielded positive results as many of the armed criminals had submitted their weapons, adding that peace dialogue remained the only option on the table in their quest to return peace to the state.
He, however, warned recalcitrant bandits to embrace peace or face the wrath of the security operatives, adding that they would be pursued to their hideouts and crushingly defeated.
“The security operatives will work hand in hand with the repentant bandits to pursue those that refused to accept the peace and reconciliation offer. Or at least convince them to cease hostilities for the overall development of the state,” he added.
The Executive Director of Fulani Initiative for the Protection of Environment and Less Privileged, Mr Bachiri S Fulani, said for the cow-for-gun policy to succeed there must be a comprehensive action plan and robust community mobilisation and engagement.
“The issue is that this programme requires a lot of resources. I learnt the executive governor had complained about lack of the wherewithal to prosecute this plan. Then he should seek for intervention from the federal government and other donor agencies.
“There must be comprehensive data of those that own guns and where they are. They should be deradicalised for some months and then be given the cows in exchange for the guns. It is a good step, but it should be carefully planned,” he said.
Mr Bachiri further said it was programme that could not be handled by the state government alone, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure the policy succeeded.
