The Zamfara police command says it has facilitated the release of 25 herders “illegally held” by local vigilantes in Dansadau emirate, Maru local government area of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement by Muhammad Shehu, police public relations officer of the command, on Friday.
According to the statement, the release of the victims is part of the ongoing push for dialogue with “kidnappers and bandits” to restore lasting peace in the state.
The victims, comprising men, women, and children, were apprehended by the local vigilantes, known as Yansakai, on April 9, 2019.
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Bello Matawalle, governor of the state, had initiated dialogue with suspected bandits as part of efforts to address the insecurity in the state.
The state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAB) had earlier accused the local vigilantes of “arbitrary arrests, torture, and branding of all Fulani herders as thieves and bandits”.
“The release of the victims is in line with the ongoing peace and dialogue mission initiated by the state government,” the police said.
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Hussaini Umar, emir of Dansadau, thanked the police for the prompt action.
Umar also commended the state government for initiating the peace dialogue with suspected bandits and promised to give maximum support and cooperation for the success of the programme.
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