Repentant bandits in Kaduna State have assured Kaduna Governor, Uba Sani and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of their commitment to the peace pact recently brokered by the state government.
This was as the bandits, who had been terrorizing communities in Birnin Gwari Emirate, Buruku, and Sabon Birni, expressed remorse for their past atrocities and pledged to become law-abiding citizens.
They said they had lived in the forests, far from city life for more than 10 years, and would therefore be happy if the government gave them a sense of belonging and allowed their children to attend schools.
A Fulani elder who claimed to be a representative of bandit kingpin, Yellow Janbross and a Fulani community leader, Ardo , said it was time for all Fulani leaders across the federation, to talk to their subjects and convince them to fully embrace the peace process.
Speaking to one of our correspondents in Birnin Gwari, on a visit to the troubled city on Sunday, he said “they should follow the Kaduna example and lay down arms.”
“We are grateful for this peace pact and shall continue to pray for its sustainability. Thank you government,” said a Fulani elder, who claimed to be a representative of bandit kingpin Jan Bross.
“We assure Governor Sani and NSA Ribadu that we will adhere to the peace pact and work towards a peaceful coexistence with our neighbors,” he added.
Another repentant bandit, Alhaji Ibrahim Bokolo, said the crisis made him and his family to relocate to neighbouring Niger state, noting that now that he had returned to Birnin-Gwari after several years, he appealed for more understanding especially from local vigilante and cautioned trouble makers to desist from any act that could breach the peace pact.
Alhaji Isa, Fulani chieftain, said they would listen to the government and abide by the peace pact, while calling on government to check the activities of some vigilante members in neighbouring Zara,Gidigodi in Niger state,who were allegedly stopping the free movement of trucks loaded with cattle.
Muhammadu Lawali, a repentant bandit,assured that the current peace pact was different from previous ones,as both parties had genuine intention. He prayed for forgiveness and encouraged the Fulani and Hausa to show more love to one another .
“We now have respite,we can move freely and intermingle with people from different parts of the community. This is a clear departure from the recent past, we were confined to the bush and only saw the town from afar. That was how I lived for the past 7 years. We thank Almighty Allah and the authorities for this peace pact,” he said.
Suleiman Yes Power, another repentant bandit who was full of smiles, said he was delighted to have sold his cow at the Birnin Gwari cattle market, something he could not do in the previous years.
While displaying a wad of money, he prayed for the peace pact to be sustained so that the town would be full of economic activities,attracting people from far and near. He assured that on their part, they would continue to honour and respect the pact.
