Zamfara Gov Tackles APC: It Is Uncharitable To Attack Me After I Helped Free Kankara Boys

Governor Bello Matawallen of Zamfara State has congratulated the
parents of the once abducted children of Government Science
Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State, who have now been
released.

This was even as he regretted the statement credited to the All
Progressives Congress (APC) on the role of Zamfara State in the
fight against banditry in the North-West.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and
Communication, Zailani Bappa on Friday, noted that the governor had
dedicated the whole of his precious time and efforts in the last
100 hours to ensure the release of these innocent children.

He, however, said he was taken aback over a statement in the
media credited to the National Publicity Secretary of the APC
accusing him of harbouring bandits who terrorise the
North-west.

“This is incidentally a similar statement credited to the
Katsina State Governor Hon Aminu Bello Masari sometimes ago when in
a similar effort, Governor Matawalle rescued 26 innocent girls
abducted by bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of the same
Katsina State.

“Although Governor Bello Mohammed has resisted temptation to
join issues with anyone on these developments, the unfounded
accusations are becoming one too many.

To correct this jaundiced perception, therefore, the records
need to be straightened once and for all.

“It is a known fact that Zamfara State under the APC was the
worst hit in terms of banditry in the North-west until the coming
of Governor Bello Mohammed on board.

The statement noted his peace initiatives, which is in tandem
with proven records in history across the globe as a viable and
necessary option to ending guerilla warfare and similar menace of
its kind, is hated and rejected by those who fail or lack the
capacity to implement it with honesty, resilience and tact.

To this end, the statement disclosed that “Today, Zamfara State
is more peaceful than most of its neighbours because Governor Bello
Mohammed has been honest in the approach, a path which could have
been the final solution to the problem the region is facing.

“It is very uncharitable due political differences to attribute
the semblance of peace enjoyed in Zamfara state to criminality of
harbouring the bandits to terrorise neighbouring States.

The statement added that “It is heart-warming to note that His
Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari is quite in tune with every
step being taken by Governor Matawalle and has more than once,
commended him for the measures he’s been taking to end banditry in
the state.

“Governor Bello Mohammed wishes to inform the General public
that his “carrot and stick” approach to dealing with the bandits
has succeeded in the recent past by settling with those who
accepted the deal and has dealt with the recalcitrant ones leading
to the elimination of over 300 bandits in only two months.

“It is therefore, ignorance or mischief to attribute the Zamfara
forests as safe haven for criminals. It is also an unfortunate and
indirect indictment of the Nigerian Military which is in control of
the Federal Government.

“Governor Matawalle wishes to also call on all stakeholders,
especially those of the region, to join hands together and find a
lasting solution to the problem at hand instead of the blame game
which is totally diversionary and counter-productive.

Governor Bello Matawallen of Zamfara State has congratulated the
parents of the once abducted children of Government Science
Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State, who have now been
released.

This was even as he regretted the statement credited to the All
Progressives Congress (APC) on the role of Zamfara State in the
fight against banditry in the North-West.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and
Communication, Zailani Bappa on Friday, noted that the governor had
dedicated the whole of his precious time and efforts in the last
100 hours to ensure the release of these innocent children.

He, however, said he was taken aback over a statement in the
media credited to the National Publicity Secretary of the APC
accusing him of harbouring bandits who terrorise the
North-west.

“This is incidentally a similar statement credited to the
Katsina State Governor Hon Aminu Bello Masari sometimes ago when in
a similar effort, Governor Matawalle rescued 26 innocent girls
abducted by bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of the same
Katsina State.

“Although Governor Bello Mohammed has resisted temptation to
join issues with anyone on these developments, the unfounded
accusations are becoming one too many.

To correct this jaundiced perception, therefore, the records
need to be straightened once and for all.

“It is a known fact that Zamfara State under the APC was the
worst hit in terms of banditry in the North-west until the coming
of Governor Bello Mohammed on board.

The statement noted his peace initiatives, which is in tandem
with proven records in history across the globe as a viable and
necessary option to ending guerilla warfare and similar menace of
its kind, is hated and rejected by those who fail or lack the
capacity to implement it with honesty, resilience and tact.

To this end, the statement disclosed that “Today, Zamfara State
is more peaceful than most of its neighbours because Governor Bello
Mohammed has been honest in the approach, a path which could have
been the final solution to the problem the region is facing.

“It is very uncharitable due political differences to attribute
the semblance of peace enjoyed in Zamfara state to criminality of
harbouring the bandits to terrorise neighbouring States.

The statement added that “It is heart-warming to note that His
Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari is quite in tune with every
step being taken by Governor Matawalle and has more than once,
commended him for the measures he’s been taking to end banditry in
the state.

“Governor Bello Mohammed wishes to inform the General public
that his “carrot and stick” approach to dealing with the bandits
has succeeded in the recent past by settling with those who
accepted the deal and has dealt with the recalcitrant ones leading
to the elimination of over 300 bandits in only two months.

“It is therefore, ignorance or mischief to attribute the Zamfara
forests as safe haven for criminals. It is also an unfortunate and
indirect indictment of the Nigerian Military which is in control of
the Federal Government.

“Governor Matawalle wishes to also call on all stakeholders,
especially those of the region, to join hands together and find a
lasting solution to the problem at hand instead of the blame game
which is totally diversionary and counter-productive.