Repentant bandits on Monday in Katsina released five abducted victims, including women detained in their custody from Danmusa Lcocal Government Area, while four others surrendered their AK 47 weapons to Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state during a dialogue with them in Shinfita in Jibia Local Government Area
Those who surrendered their weapons in Shinfita include: Asharani, Abdu Danda and Abdullahi Marafi,
Meanwhile, the Governor who announced the release of the victims, called on residents of the state to allow the repentant bandits to carry out their commercial activities in markets across the state.
Masari, who was speaking in Baranda village of Batsari local government area, during a reconciliation meeting with bandits, said the victims were freed on Sunday and had since been reunited with their families.
Two notorious bandits who command large following and strongholds of bandits in Batsari local Government: Dangote and Dankarami were absent at the reconciliation meeting because โthey are at loggerhead with each otherโ.
The duo who sent their representatives at the meeting, were said to have numerous banditsโ camps in Katsina and Zamfara States with many kidnapped persons in their custody.
Masari said: โFive people including three women that were kidnapped by the bandits have been released by them. Three women left my house this morning (Monday) to their houses. And the bandits also promised to free the remaining people in their custodyโ
He directed security agencies in the state to protect the lives and properties of the citizenry residing in rural settlements and urged them to avoid extortion.
The state Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, in his speech, urged bandits terrorizing innocent citizens in the state to surrender their weapons and work with security agencies to maintain peace or face the wrath of the law.
Earlier, the Transition Committee chairman of Batsari local government, Mr. Mannir Muazu said the council would inaugurate security committee to ensure that harmonious co-existence is restored in the area.
Some of the bandits, Abdullahi Ibrahim and Fulani Shafe, who spoke during the meeting commended Governor Masari for initiating the dialogue and vowed to surrender their arms for the sustainability of peace in the state.
