Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has reiterated that his administration would not negotiate with bandits terrorising the state and its neighbours.
He therefore charged security agencies to be ruthless with the criminals, who, he said, were engaged in kidnapping for ransom, rape, arson and cattle rustling.
A statement by the Director General Media, Abdu Labaran Malunfashi, said the governor spoke yesterday when the state’s heads of security agencies presented before him two repentant bandit commanders, who also returned 10 AK 47 rifles.
“I’ve instructed the security operatives to deal ruthlessly with the bandits until they are rendered permanently ineffective.
“We are no more going to negotiate with them, but if, on their volition, they decide to renounce their violent criminal ways and embrace peace, we are ready to listen to them.
“Even then, they must surrender all the arms and ammunitions in their possession, otherwise they remain enemies to be dealt with accordingly, as far as we are concerned.
“Government is always ready to receive, forgive and rehabilitate repentant bandits, as long as they surrender all the arms and ammunitions in their possession, but it is not up to us to romance them,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
The two bandit leaders, Sale Turwa and Muhammed Sani Maidaji were presented before the governor by the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Sanusi Buba, and his colleagues from the 17 Brigade, Katsina, the Department of State Security and Civil Defence.
Governor Masari urged the security operatives not relent, but redouble their efforts in fighting the bandits until they are completely degraded and rendered permanently ineffective.
