SOME notorious bandit kingpins operating in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State have voluntarily surrendered their weapons and released 16 kidnapped victims as part of a disarmament initiative for amnesty led by the Nigerian Army, the military said.
According to a statement posted on Saturday by the Nigerian Army, the operation was conducted under the leadership of Operation Fasin Yamma in collaboration with local stakeholders.
The bandit leaders identified as Kamulu Buzaru, Manore, Nagwaggo, Lalbi, Alhaji Sani, Dogo Baidu, Dogo Nahalle, and Abdulkadir Black laid down arms on 14 June and pledged to abandon banditry.
In a show of goodwill, the group freed seven women and nine children from captivity and promised to release the remaining hostages in their custody by 15 June.
“The individuals expressed their commitment to renounce banditry and embrace peaceful coexistence,” the Army said, adding that all recovered weapons have been secured and handed over to authorities.
The released hostages were transferred to local government officials for reunification with their families. Security forces have maintained a strong presence in the area to forestall any resurgence of violence.
Katsina, like many parts of northwestern Nigeria, has battled waves of armed banditry, including mass kidnappings and attacks on rural communities.
Authorities have, in recent months, increased efforts to encourage voluntary disarmament among insurgent groups in exchange for reintegration.
The Army said the security situation in Dan Musa remains stable and surveillance operations would continue to ensure lasting peace.
This announcement comes amidst fresh attacks on Benue where over 100 people were reportedly killed in the Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest attack marks the third assault on Yelewata in one week, a rural town located on the Benue–Nasarawa border, while Daudu lies about 20 20-minute drive from Makurdi, the state capital.
A Guma local government staff member who preferred anonymity said the massacre could best be described as an annihilation of a race, “because this is certainly a plan to wipe out an ethnic group.”
He said over 100 dead bodies had been recovered with many families burnt beyond recognition.
“Majority of the victims are IDPs who take shelters in market stalls and shops along the road. These evil bandits poured petrol before setting fire on the shelters, burnt them in their sleep. They broke into other people’s homes and hacked them to death with cutlasses” he said.