Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has warned the bandits and other insurgents in the state to unconditionally surrender their weapons before it’s too late.
The governor gave the warning during the presentation of the facility, which would serve as the headquarters of operations for safe corridors in the Northwest region.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, disclosed that Operation Safe Corridor will provide the opportunity for the disarmament, deradicalisation, and integration of repentant bandits back into society.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to persistently pursuing bandits until they are all effectively defeated, destroyed, and subdued.
The statement added that the initiative was modelled after the Operation Safe Corridor initiative in the Northeast, which successfully de-radicalised and reintegrated former Boko Haram fighters.
“The Northwest program seeks to offer a structured exit for individuals involved in banditry. The initiative will involve vocational training, psychological support, and ideological reorientation,” the statement said.
In his remarks, Mr Lawal said the state government provided the facility as a gesture to assist the federal government in tackling the ongoing issue of insurgency that has impacted Zamfara and the Northwest for more than a decade.
“I wish to restate once more the commitment of our administration to support these initiatives and other effective tactics used in taking this fight to the bandits’ enclaves until they are all effectively routed, decimated, and dominated.
“But for those of them who intend to surrender their arms unconditionally and willingly, they are free to do so. Establishing Operation Safe Corridor Headquarters of the Northwest will allow for disarmament, deradicalisation, and integration of repentant bandits into society.
“On this note, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, OFR, for finding Zamfara State worthy to host the 3rd Operation Safe Corridor in the country.
“I also want to thank the Chairman of the Operation Safe Corridor Implementation Committee Northwest, Major General EV Onumajoro, who is also the Chief of Defence Operations, Nigeria Defence Headquarters, and his team for finding Zamfara suitable to site the headquarters of this important unit.
“Lastly, we appreciate Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for all his efforts and support to security agencies working in the state.
“What is needed further is consolidating the gains in converting banditry and other violent crimes. I wish to assure you of our commitment to do all to ensure that this program succeeds. For us here today, this is the birth of the Zamfara model on DDDRRR—demobilisation, disengagement, deradicalisation, rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reintegration.
“With these few remarks, I wish to formally hand over this facility to serve as the Northwest Headquarters of Operation Safe Corridor for the good of Zamfara State and our beloved Nigeria.”
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, commended Mr Lawal for his support and assistance to the troops in the fight against banditry in Zamfara.
Represented by Major General Onumajuru, the CDS said: “Operation Safe Corridor is a non-kinetic line of operation. It serves as a pathway to peace and reintegration.
“After taking over this facility, we will continue to engage with His Excellency and the people of Zamfara, who are essential stakeholders in this project, to ensure synergy and cooperation.”
