The Zamfara State Government has announced its readiness to offer free education to a notorious but repentant bandit, Awwalun Daudawa, as part of its amnesty-for -bandits initiative of the state.
Daudawa, who masterminded the abduction of over 300 schoolboys in Kankara, Katsina State last December, used to wield enormous influence among the bandits terrorising the Northwestern part of the country.
The Special Adviser to the state Governor on Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa, disclosed that Daudawa and his gang had recently embraced the peace dialogue of the state government.
Bappa, whose principal, Matawalle has been at the vanguard of campaign of amnesty for bandits, said this whle defending the governor’s position.
He said, “They (repentant bandits) are living with us in the towns. As a matter of fact, you know the leader of the gang that kidnapped the Kankara schoolboys, Awwalun Daudawa, came and submitted himself to the Zamfara State government.
“All his boys also surrendered themselves and their weapons. He is with us and said he wants to go back to school. The state government will assist him in his education. This is what amnesty for repentant bandits can achieve.”
Daudawa, reportedly on the orders of the Boko Haram terrorist sect, led the abduction of over 300 schoolboys from their school on the outskirts of Kankara, Katsina State on December 11, 2020.
The pupils were released six days later from where they were being held in a forest in neighbouring Zamfara State.
Earlier this month, Daudawa reportedly surrendered to the authorities in exchange for an amnesty agreement.
Zamfara State government said Daudawa and six other bandits handed over their weapons, swearing on the Holy Quran not to return to their former practices.
The state government took this decision despite President Buhari’s warning to state governors to stop rewarding bandits.
