Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara state, says not all
bandits are criminals.
Speaking with journalists after meeting with President
Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock on Thursday, Matawalle said some of the “bandits”
took the law into their own hands because they were ill-treated by some
vigilante groups.
Zamfara, in the north-west, has recorded high cases of
banditry and kidnapping in recent times.
The governor said some of the conflicts recorded in the
north-west are reprisal attacks by the “bandits” on members of vigilante
groups.
“Not all of them are criminals,” he said.
“If you investigate what is happening, and what made them
take the laws into their hands, some of them, sometimes were cheated by
so-called vigilante groups.
“They normally go to their settlements and destroy property
and take their animals. They did not have anyone to speak with, so sometimes,
they go for revenge. When the vigilante group attacks them, they go for
reprisals.”
Matawalle said leaders should get to the genesis of the
problem and not conclude that all bandits are criminals.
“It is important for us as leaders to sit down with them and
understand what is the genesis. You can’t just conclude that this person is a
criminal,” he said.
“You have to listen to him. What led him to go into such
activities? It is not all Fulanis that are criminals.
“Some are good citizens, but due to some circumstances, they
subscribed to such criminality but when we had the information, we called their
leaders and sat with them, they told us their grudges and we sorted out the way
the communities and the Fulanis can resolve their issues without any serious
crisis.”
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But why is it difficult to flush out the criminal herdsmen among themselves? Can they tell us why haven't they reported any misdeeds within their camp...well I also believe Nigerian Fulani herdsmen are peaceful loving people....I think it would be a foreigner that would not love his country and it co citizen
ReplyDeleteSome bandits are not criminals.
ReplyDeleteSomeone is mal-treated "They did not have anyone to speak with" and takes the law into his hands. The Governor knows them and calls their leaders but they have no one to speak with. Am I getting confused with English language? Are we sure this country can be normal?
Bandit means "a robber or an outlaw belonging to a gang..... Are you saying that robbers and outlaws are not criminals? Pls after garri school, primary, secondary and university, which other school i never go to clever lije thid Governor?
ReplyDelete