By Idris Salisu
The Zamfara State government has secured the release of 40 kidnap victims.
The release is part of the state government’s
peace effort to end banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in the state.
The 40 freed victims, who are Fulani, were kidnapped by the bandits in different locations of the state.
Twenty five were earlier released by the Yansakai in Dansadau Emirate of Mary Local Government Area on Wednesday.
They include men, women and children and had been handed over to the state Governor, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Usman Nagoggo, at the Government House, Gusau.
The second batch of rescuers, 15, were kidnapped by bandits along Kaura Namoda, Zurmi and Shinkafi axis that include 13 men and two women were also released by the bandits.
Receiving the freed persons from the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Usman Nagoggo, at the Government House, Gusau, Governor Matawalle commended the effort of the Police in the state for the feat and urged them to maintain the tempo of restoring peace in the state.
Governor Matawalle, however, congratulated the victims for regaining their freedom and called on them to counsel their children and relatives to come and embrace the peace process initiated by the state government for the betterment of everybody in the state and Nigeria in general.
He also asked the Fulanis to advice their people who are at the forest to surrender their weapons and embrace peace.
Governor Matawalle also called on the people of the state to assist his government in its efforts to end banditry so that every citizen of the state will continue with their normal life freely without the fear of being attacked or kidnapped.
Matawalle also ordered for the rehabilitation of the released victims before their families are contacted and for adequate arrangements to be made for their formal release to their families.
He also described the release of the kidnapped people as a sign that the peace process was succeeding and urged for continued support and prayers from the people of the state.
He maintained that the rescue mission would sustain the engagement until all those kidnapped were rescued and handed over to the their families.