Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle
Identities of some leaders of 'repentant' bandits in Zamfara State given Toyota Hilux vehicles and cash gifts by Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle have been revealed.
SaharaReporters on Wednesday night obtained the names of some of them. The list includes Na Shama, Sani Shaidan, Mohammadu Bello Halilu and Bage Waye.
Other beneficiaries are identified as Kachalla, Ado, Busniya, Dunbulu and Gajere.
SaharaReporters had exposed how about 15 brand new Hilux vehicles were given to leaders of different 'repentant' banditry groups by Matawalle.
The governor also approved millions of naira to be given to the 'repentant' bandits as compensation.
"Those bandits have different group, so if they say they repent, the governor will give them a Hilux vehicle; unfortunately they are now using the vehicles to carry out attacks," a military source told SaharaReporters. See Also 2 Days Ago
"It's so sad, he called it a peace and reconciliation programme, but all you need to be rich now in Zamfara is to take up arms against the people."
Nura Ibrahim Zarumi, State Commissioner for Justice, claimed the publication had caused disgrace to the government but refused to deny the story's authenticity.
A former Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abubakar Maradun, said the recent attack on Janbako community was facilitated by three new Hilux vans the bandits got from the government. See Also 2 Days Ago
Maradun revealed that the bandits, who besieged the community in their hundreds, met stiff resistance from the villagers, forcing them to retreat and abandon one of the vehicles containing three rifles and assorted ammunition.