Bandit operating in and around Wase Local government area of Plateau state have surrendered and handed over their weapons to state authorities in the state.
Special Adviser to the Plateau Governor on Security and Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brigadier General Gakji Shipi (rtd), said about seven notorious bandits have so far surrendered and handed over their weapons, including AK-47 rifles, to security agencies.
Geneal Shipi said the non-kinetic approach being employed by the security agencies on bringing the crisis in the state to an end, especially in Southern Plateau is yeilding fruits
He noted that the cooperation of these groups had facilitated the surrender of the weapons.
According to General Shipi (rtd), the bandits were initially hesitant to surrender due to fear of retaliation, but they eventually chose to renounce violence and return their weapons voluntarily.
He emphasized that the rising incidents of armed banditry prompted security agencies to expand their focus beyond known hotspots to other areas.
The special adviser attributed this achievement to the collaborative efforts of the Wase local government authorities, local vigilante groups, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police.
He said, “For quite some time now, we have been taking a look at the security situation bedeviling the state and apart from the kinetic approach, we have decided to adopt the non kinetic means to solve the problem.
“We have also decided to shift attention to other areas, especially Wase local government area, which had had fair share of armed banditry and the endeavours have started recording success.
“Some of the criminals and bandits have returned their weapons to us and you know we are still negotiating, but for fear of being prosecuted, some of them have surrendered their weapons to us without coming out, but with the confidence measures we are building more will return their weapons as well as surrender to the authorities.
“We have started negations with them and you know these negotiations take time and it also takes time to build trust and for them to show good will have started to return their weapons.”