Police Commissioner in Zamfara, Usman Nagogo, says the state has received over 200 kidnapping victims from their abductors over the past three weeks.
This was made known by Mr Nagogo at Monday’s news conference in Gusau.
As the leader of a peace and reconciliation project currently set up by Governor Bello Matawalle, he said the bandits voluntarily returned and handed over the victims to him.
“Since the beginning of the peace and reconciliation initiative team assignment about three weeks ago now, we have received over 200 kidnap victims from Fulanis and Yansakai.
“We have sat with all the warring factions and they have understood that peace is the most important aspect of growth and development which is why they willingly return the victims and await the promise made by the governor to re-establish grazing reserves, build hospitals and veterinary clinics, provide good drinking water and other amenities at Fulani settlements.
“At the moment, all the factions go to the markets that were closed due to the armed bandit activities while farmers go to the farms without any hindrance or threats,” he said.
Police commissioner who urged citizens to continue praying for the achievement of the peace process and peacekeeping in the country warned politicians against politicizing the attempt to enable security organizations to perform their activities without distraction.
Some of the rescued victims informed police command reporters that they were held against rain or sun like livestock and without shelter.
The latest 23 victims, including males, females and kids, were abducted in the local government areas of Maru, Maradun and Birnin-Magaji.
Some of the victims were in the hands of their abductors for more than seven months.
The victims were camped at the Government House, Gusau, after their rescue, where they received services of medical and psycho-social support before being reunited with their families.(NAN)