Not all bandits are criminals, Zamfara governor declares
- Some bandits are good citizens of the country, according to Governor Bello Matawalle
- According to him, they are fantastic people who took to criminality because of the injustice meted on them
- The governor added that they are in fact victims of rustlers
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In what will shock many Nigerians, a state governor has defended bandits terrorising the country. According to Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state, not all bandits are criminals.
Matawalle disclosed this on Thursday, February 18, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He explained that most of the bandits take up arms due to the injustice meted on them by some members of society, Premium Times reports.
Source: Twitter
The governor alleged that the bandits are victims of rustlers. He said since they have nobody to speak to, they resort to violence.
He said:
“Not all of them are criminals. If you investigate what is happening, and what made them to take the laws into their hands, some of them, sometimes were cheated by so-called the vigilante group."
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that in what will bring about different reactions from Nigerians, a criminal has repented of his crime and has vowed not to get involved in banditry again.
The repentant bandit, Auwalun Daudawa also surrendered 20 AK-47 rifles and other weapons to Zamfara state Governor Bello Matawalle.
Going further, he said he wants to enroll in school.
In another development, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) faulted a prominent Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, over his statement on bandits. He had called on the federal government to deploy budget for security in addressing their demands.
According to the national publicity secretary of the MBF, Dr Isuwa Dogo, it is strange for FG to use tax money on people who have been killing Nigerians.
He also questioned Gumi's motive in visiting the bandits and the name change he requested for them.
Aanu Adegun is a politics and current affairs content editor at Legit.ng with over 7 years of experience in both digital and traditional media. A graduate of English Studies from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo state, Aanu started his journalism career as a features writer. Aanu, who is also a creative writer has written books and children magazines. He once anchored some specialised pages of a national newspaper. Aanu is also a satirist.
Source: Legit.ng
