The Zamfara chapter of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria, ALGON, says it would embark on rigorous prayers to end banditry in the state, the north west region and the country at large.
Its chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Umar disposed this while speaking with newsmen at the end of the association’s state executive council meeting on security in Gusau on Saturday.
“We are unanimous in supporting the steps taken by our governor in addressing the issues of armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes which had brought our state to a standstill in the past.
“This was particularly achieved following the peace and dialogue initiated by his excellency which led to unconditional surrender of large cache of arms and ammunition by repentant bandits who have also supported the government and security agents in either bringing new repentants or identifying recalcitrant ones so that they will be brought to book.
“We have since been supporting the Matawalle initiative and we will continue to do so untill lasting peace is fully achieved in all parts of the state.
“At the moment, we have also concluded arrangements to mobilize religious leaders that will go and meet the remaining bandits in the bushes so that they can talk spiritual sense into them with a view to having all of them abandon their bad ways, more especially that the state government is willing to rehabilitate and support them into being good citizens,” he said.
The ALGON leader enjoined well meaning citizens in the state to always pray for an end to the security challenges facing the state in particular and the nation in general.