NIGER: Abducted Kagara students, others to be released soon – Zamfara bandits’ leader

THE students and staff members of the Government Science  College, Kagara abducted in the wee hours of Wednesday may soon be reunited with their family members.

This is following the assurance given by  the notorious Zamfara bandits’ leader, Dogo Gide, who calls the shots in southern part of the state’s forest, to the government representatives during their meeting.

The bandits’ leader, who re-echoed Sheik Gumi’s position, said this hours after the cleric  assured the public of making progress in his intervention to secure the release of the abductees.

Dogo Gide had met, earlier today, with the officials of the Niger State Government under the intervention of a prominent Islamic Scholar Sheikh Ahmad Mahmud Gumi in Dutsin Magaji of Kotonkoro forest.

Gide said although the abductees are not in his camp, he will negotiate with his fellow bandits to hasten their release.

“The abducted persons, whether they were kidnapped by bandits in Zamfara state or any other neighbouring states of Niger, Kebbi and Kaduna will be released soon,” he said.

Dogo Gide said most Fulani took to banditry because of the pressure they face from all angles.

He was said to have  specifically mentioned the persistent attacks and killings of the Fulani by the vigilante groups and Yansakai followed by the bombardments of their camps by the military.

Dogo Gide, however, assured that with the intervention of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi they would ensure the release of the abducted persons.

He also promised to accept the peace process being preached by Sheikh Gummi provided that the governors were really serious on the issue.