No fewer than 3,000 bandits have surrendered their arms following the peace and dialogue efforts of Zamfara State government.
This was made known on Saturday by Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, in Guasu.
Wakkala heads the state government’s committee set up to ensure that peace reigns in the state.
The committee is tagged Dialogue, Reconciliation and Disarmament Committee.
Speaking during an interactive session with the National Economic Council (NEC) Committee on Farmers and Herdsmen Clashes led by Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, Wakkala said the committee had ensured peace in the state.
“Our communities are now living peacefully and cooperating with security agencies in sustaining peace,” he said.
He also spoke about the contributions of major stakeholders to the peace efforts.
According to him, the state government, security agencies and traditional rulers and all other stakeholders had contributed meaningfully to the efforts.
The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji, who is also the chairman of the state government’s Damage, Assessment and Relief Committee, revealed that 1,321 people had been killed since 2011.
According to him, 1,881 persons had been injured and 185 cars and motorcycles lost to the activities of bandits.
READ ALSO: Nigeria needs a break from Buhari’s govt –Fayose
He added that over 10,000 cattle were lost to rustling and 2,688 hectares of farm lands and 10,000 houses were destroyed within the period under review.
He said the committee he headed was set up with the aim of assisting victims of the clashes in the state.
Said he: “Within the period under review, the state government has, through the committee, spent huge amount of money in providing cash, food items as well as assistance to families of deceased and sponsoring medical bills to victims of disasters in the state.”
