ZAMFARA SECURITY: Governor Matawalle insists on dialogue with bandits
By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau
Governor of Zamfara State, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has insisted that dialogue is best option for insecurity in the state.
The governor disclosed this during a statewide broadcast to the people of the state on the recent series of bandits’ attack on various commuties in the state.
He said, following extensive consultation with relevant stallholders, including traditional and religious leaders as well as security agencies, that it was overwhelmingly agreed that the best way to address such a huge security challenge, which has the appearance of ethnic and inter-communal disharmony, is through dialogue and reconciliation of feuding parties.
Governor Matawalle maintained that social eruptions and conflicts that bother on ethnic or religious coloration are better addressed through the instrument of dialogue as against military or police action.
He said there is no better resolution of such issues than to be addressed via dialogue and reconciliation as, according to the governor,
violence frequently leads to further violence.
He further said, apart from the peace, reconciliation effort and recent political happenings, that the state had equally maintained its obligation to security forces through the provision of logistics and all other support they require to discharge their responsibility, as they had given their assurance to the general public of commitment to protecting lives and properties across the state.
He added that the security forces and also pledged their readiness for rapid and prompt response to distress calls.
Governor Matawalle expressed his sympathy to people, who had lost their loved ones, properties and those displaced and separated from their families, particularly women and children forced to live in deplorable condition as widows and ophans, displaced, as a result of the incessant activities of bandits.
