The governor of Katsina state, Aminu Bello Masari said he is working hand in gloves with repentant bandits to rid the state of criminal elements who refused to lay down their arms when the window of opportunity for repentance was open to them last year.
Masari said the method became imperative because the repentant bandits themselves do not want to be affected by the activities of those still in the forests and still kidnapping people and rustling cattle, adding that there is nothing wrong with working with ex-bandits.
The governor spoke to Verity News online.com editors in an exclusive interview.
“Of course, they (repentant bandits) are working with us to fight those of them that have not repented, because if they allow them (those still doing the crime), they have the capability and capacity to even start to recruit some of their children and they (repentant bandits) don’t want that.”
He said it is also in the interest of the repentant bandits to work with government because “they own cattle in the forest. And if there is no peace, everybody will be attacking everybody, that is what they will do; “dogs eat dogs” fight in the forest”.
With the benefit of hindsight, the governor has also revealed that only a collaborative effort can completely curb criminal activities of bandits whose headquarters he said is Zamfara state.
“If banditry is not eliminated in Zamfara state, not much can be achieved because the bandits settle there; it is their headquarters; all the bandits ravaging our area including some parts of Kogi and Niger have their origin in Zamfara state. So unless you are able to ‘uproot’ them from there, then obviously, we will continue to have issues”.
Commenting on Amotekun, the South-west’s initiative to combat crime, Masari said he believed in cooperation among states, but having a central force is untidy and even unconstitutional.“I don’t think the constitution has provision for regional outfit but cooperation is important”, the governor said.
On the political uncertainty, rumbles in his party, APC and calls for the party Chairman, Oshiomhole to resign, Governor Masari said it is normal for political parties to witness crisis from time to time. “Political parties are not grave yards. The quarrels in APC are normal”, he said.
On Oshiomhole, he said: “I am for APC and APC has a constitution that binds all; so the party is governed by rule of law. I cannot simply wake up one day and say I don’t like it because I don’t like someone’s face. If there are issues, let us go through the party and solve them”.