ZAMFARA: Repentant bandits helped secure release of Jangebe schoolgirls — Matawalle

GOVERNOR Bello Matawalle has insisted that his administration did not pay ransom to secure release of the abducted Jangebe schoolgirls.

Matawalle said repentant Bandits were instrumental in the release of the schoolgirls.

According to him, repentant bandits held talks with their unrepentant counterparts and were able to secure the release of the schoolgirls.

The governor also said the repentant bandits handed over the abductees to security agents during the rescue efforts.

Matawalle said this last night while featuring on Channels’ Television’s programme ‘Politics Today’

He said, ” “Zamfara has a very vast area and we have borders with different states like Niger, Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Katsina. When it (the abduction) happened, I spoke with the security agents and they went together with the repentant bandits to the place where these guys (abductors) promised to bring the children.

“We provide vehicle with all the security –the Army, the Police, the Air Force, and everyone to go along with those guys (repentant bandits) and they (security agents) remained in one of the areas called Bingi. So, the repentant ones brought them to the security agents to convey them from there to the state capital.”

Despite the abduction that happened last week, the governor has stuck to his guns over the Peace Accord with bandits saying the initiative is “working”.

Matawalle also said without the Peace Accord, the safe rescue of the schoolgirls would have been impossible. “No matter how people may see the peace, dialogue and reconciliation efforts as unnecessary, to me it is very important,” he noted.

The governor, however, parried the question on the identities of those behind the abduction of the girls which had vowed to name.