Zamfara bandits’ leader, Dogo Gide, says kidnapped students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara in Niger State, will soon be released by their abductors.
Gide, whose men control the southern part of the Zamfara forest, made the promise at a meeting with the officials of the Niger State Government under the intervention of a prominent Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Mahmud Gummi in Dutsin Magaji of Kotonkoro forest.
The bandits’ leader said although the abductees are not in his camp, he assured that he would negotiate with his fellow bandits to ensure their release.
“The abducted persons, whether they were kidnapped by bandits in Zamfara state or any other neighbouring states of Niger, Kebbi and Kaduna will be released soon,” he said.
Dogo Gide said due to the pressure faced by the Fulani from all angles, they had no other option than to carry arms and also engage in banditry to survive.
He specifically mentioned the persistent attacks and killings of the Fulani by the vigilante groups and Yansakai followed by the bombardments of their camps by the military.
But Dogo Gide assured that with the intervention of Sheikh Ahmad Gummi, they would ensure the release of the abducted persons.
The bandits’ leader also promised to accept the peace process being preached by Sheikh Gummi provided the governors showed real seriousness on the matter.