The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, has appealed to Bandits across the state to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue and reconciliation for peace and security to prevail.
The Bandits in their response appealed to the state government to assist in the release of their members arrested by security agencies and detained across the state for the peace process to thrive.
A statement from the SSG Office on Friday stated that Matane made the plea in Dutsen Magaji, Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of the state while addressing Bandits and their Commanders terrorising the state.
The SSG who was accompanied by a renowned Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Abubakar Gumi , said, “I call on other criminal elements like the kidnappers and cattle rustlers to join in the peace dialogue process in order to put an end to the security challenges that have bedeviled the state over the years.
“In furtherance to the peace dialogue initiative, enjoined the Commanders to support Government secure the release of the abducted Passengers of Niger State Transport Authority and Students of Government Science College, Kagara.”.
He said government would continue to ensure the security of lives and property through strengthening of the security architecture of the state, stressing the need for people to collaborate with the Government in its determination to rid the State of any criminal activities.
The SSG stated the need for religious leaders and other stakeholders to embark on how to get the bandits, kidnappers, and cattle rustlers to key into the peace initiatives of the Government.
In his remarks at the meeting according to the statement, the renowned Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Abubakar Gumi expressed optimism that dialoguing with the Bandits would put an end to the current insecurity in the State and country at large.
Sheikh Gumi reminded the hoodlums that Islam is against taking the lives of innocent people and appealed to them to embrace peace by laying down their arms.
“The Islamic Cleric told the Bandits that he will continue to discuss with the state government to explore whatever assistance and support government will give to them with a view to achieving the set objectives”, the statement said.
Commanders in their separate remarks applauded the state government for the peace process, stressing that it would go a long way in restoring peace across the state.
The highlight of the occasion, it learnt was the distribution of Islamic Books to the Bandits by Sheikh Ahmed Gumi so as to teach them the doctrine of Islam.
