The Zamfara State Government says bandit leader, Bello Turji, has started killing unrepentant criminals in the state.

The deputy governor of Zamfara State, Sen. Hassan Nasiha, made the declosure in Gusau, the state capital, on Sunday, while speaking at the opening of a conference on security organised by the Students Union of Medina University in Saudi Arabia.

Nasiha said Turji’s repentance has however resulted in peace in Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi, and Zurmi Local Government Areas of Zamfara.

He said he has met with bandits in the 14 local government areas of the state.

“In the last three months, there has not been any bandits attack at Magami district as a result of the peace initiative with bandits.

“Everyone knows the notorious bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji who has operated on that axis.

“The state government through the peace committee entered into a peace deal with the bandits’ leader and he agreed to stop the criminality and to embrace peace.

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“Turji is now killing unrepentant bandits who unleashed terror on innocent citizens in Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Birnin Magaji local government areas,” Nasiha said.

The deputy governor added that the peace committee set up by Zamfara State Government met with nine bandits’ groups in their camps at Magami and Dansadau emirates where they raised their concerns.

“They said Hausas always attacked and raped their women, killing the Fulani on their way to or returning from markets,” he said.

Nasiha stated that the state government has ordered the return of cattle grazing routes, lands, water for livestock, and other property seized by Hausas to the herders.

He said the order must be respected by both parties in the conflict to enable the return of law and order in the communities.

He noted that the Fulani requested the government to consider freeing their youths currently in detention in correctional centres and in police cells.

“They equally requested for schools for their kids and other social services including fertilisers and farm inputs

“They said lack of education would influence a 12-year-old Fulani boy to kill a 70-year-old man using AK-47 rifle,” the deputy governor said.

The Star