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Zamfara bandit leader assures on safe release of abductees

Zamfara bandit leader assures on safe release of abductees

The Zamfara State bandit leader, Dogo Gide, who controls the southern part of Zamfara forest, has given assurance that the kidnapped officials and pupils would soon be released.

Gide made the promise when he met with the officials of the Niger State Government under the intervention of a prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi in Dutsin Magaji of Kotonkoro forest on Friday.

Gide said though the abductees were not in his camp, he would nevertheless negotiate with his fellow bandits to hasten their release.

He assured that all the abducted persons, including those kidnapped by bandits in Zamfara State or any other neighbouring states of Niger, Kebbi and Kaduna would be released soon.

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Gide explained that the Fulani were under pressure from all angles, “that was why most of them have been left with no option but to carry arms and also engage in banditry activities.”

He also promised to accept the peace deal preached by Sheikh Gumi provided the governors were really serious about the issue.

But the Special Adviser to Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State on Communications, Media and Publicity, Alhaji Zailani Bappa, said he was not aware of any arrangements between the state government and Niger State on the issue.