JUST IN: Governors 'Forgive' Bandits, Killer Herdsmen, Grant Them Amnesty

Governors in Northwest Nigeria on Thursday said herdsmen, bandits and cattle rustlers have been “fully forgiven”, Igbere TV reports.

The governors also said that the aforementioned persons have been granted full amnesty.

Igbere TV reports that Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina made the disclosure at the end of a one-day security meeting with security agents, vigilante, volunteer groups, herdsmen and farmers on Thursday in the state.

He said that bandits and herdsmen have been asked to drop their weapons, adding that no vigilante group should attack or kill any herdsman ever again.

“As from today, no vigilante group member or volunteers should attack or kill any herdsman, as sacrifice must be made by both sides to ensure peace reign.

“Herdsmen and their families should be allowed to go about their normal businesses, attend markets and worship places without molestation provided they don’t carry arms.

“Those bandits who rustled animals from communities should immediately return them to the government or Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association.

“Bandits should surrender their weapons and immediately release all those kidnapped and now under their custody.

“We are happy that we have seen some releases of kidnapped victims from Zamfara and other states”, the governor said.

On his part, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State said all states in the region would provide grazing reserve for the herders for them to settle in one place in the zone.

“We are concerned that herders are always roaming around with their animals thereby exposing themselves to different kinds of hazards,” he said.

“The governors took a uniform measure, you should also take a uniform decision not to rustle animals, kidnap or kill anyone. You should immediately release all people in your custody in order to show the world that you have truly repented.”

In his remarks, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, said that nobody is allowed to attack or kill anybody in the name of vigilante or volunteer group.

He also said that anybody caught killing innocent people would be pursued by the police and prosecuted.

Adamu said that any herdsman that indulged in kidnapping or other acts would equally be arrested by the police and made to face the full wrath of the law.