By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Progressives Governors’ Forum, on Saturday in Gusau, Zamfara State capital, condoled the Government and People of the State on the recent dastardly killings of no fewer than 51 innocent persons in parts of the state by some ferocious bandits.

The members of the forum were represented by its Chairman and Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, as well as his Jigawa counterpart, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar.

Bagudu recalled: “We were holding a meeting in Abuja, three days ago, sequel to our earlier meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, our colleague, Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Bello Mohammed Matawalle had to abruptly leave it on learning about the fatal bandits attack.

“From there, he immediately proceeded to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, out of his ceaseless concern about the disturbing security situation in his state and we were witnesses to this.”

The Kebbi State Governor also explained that, even the meeting with President Buhari was centred on the recurring security challenges in our states.

He added: “That was why we are here today, to show our solidarity to our colleague, Matawalle, as well as condole the Government and people of the state on these abhorable and condemnable killings.”

Bagudu also recalled that he was part of the Senate delegation that condoled the Government and people of the state when some innocent persons were brutally killed in Yar Galadima village.

The APC Governors’ Forum Chairman further appealed to the Zamfara Governor to sustain his ongoing efforts of fighting the adamant bandits, while reconciliation with the repentant ones should be sustained.

Bagudu while expressing sadness over the killing of innocent people by the bandits, also prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the deceased persons Aljannat Firdaus, as well as prevent the recurrence of the unfortunate incident.

He also beseeched the Almighty Allah to bring lasting solutions to the recurring security challenges in the north and other parts of Nigeria.

Responding, the Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle said that, he was deeply shocked on learning about the killings, while we were holding a meeting on the security challenges in the country.

He explained: “I had to leave the meeting and went to meet the Chief of Air Staff. We discussed the matter with him, just as I did the same with the President who said that his doors are always open for me.”

The Shattiman Sakkwato also warned armed bandits in the state to repent or change base, as he draws a new roadmap in his approach to handling the issue of security challenges facing the state.

The Governor who said that, his recent suspension of a District Head in Shinkafi Emirate for conniving with bandits was just a tip of the iceberg said: “In the next four days, he will overwhelm all those making life unbearable to innocent citizens in the state.”

Matawalle further said he has discussed extensively with President Muhammadu Buhari and the nation’s service chiefs on the new approach which is most likely going to deal seriously with deceptive and unrepentant bandits.

The Shattiman Sakkwato thanked the two visiting Governors, Senator Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, who is the Chairman, APC Governors' Forum and Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa for the visit and their concern.

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