Bandits in Zamfara State have made a surprising call for peace talks with Governor Dauda Lawal, as revealed in a viral video that surfaced on Thursday. In the video, Garba Habeeb, who claims to represent the bandits, can be seen appealing for negotiations between his group and the state government. He emphasizes the importance of peaceful coexistence in Zamfara State, suggesting that continued violence will not bring about lasting peace. Habeeb urges Governor Lawal to lead the state towards peace and invites him to initiate discussions with all stakeholders, including Fulani leaders and bandit commanders.
Efforts to obtain a response from the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, were unsuccessful, as his phone lines were not reachable, and text messages went unanswered. This development echoes similar calls for disarmament by bandits in Zamfara State back in 2019 when they outlined conditions such as halting extrajudicial killings of herdsmen and allowing them to attend local markets without fear.
The recent appeal for peace talks comes amidst heightened security concerns in Zamfara State, prompting Governor Lawal to seek increased military support. During a visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the governor expressed concerns over the resurgence of attacks in certain areas of the state. Lawal appealed to General Musa for the deployment of more troops and enhanced weaponry to address the security challenges plaguing Zamfara State.
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