Bandits claiming to have repented are collecting money for weapons – Abubakar Bello

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello has alleged that bandits claiming to have repented are doing so to get money to acquire more weapons but his administration will not succumb to their plans.

He reportedly made this comment while speaking at a meeting with a vigilante group at Mariga LGA on Tuesday.

Bello said that some persons who claimed to have repented, collect money to purchase more weapons, and return to their old ways of banditry.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Mary Noel-Berje, chief press secretary to the governor, Bello affirmed that any bandit who gives up his old ways will be offered a means of livelihood without cash backing.

“I am here to thank the vigilantes, boost their morale and to offer more support from the state government so that they can continue to support the police and other security agencies in the fight against bandits and other criminal tendencies,” he was quoted to have said.

“Any bandit that surrenders his weapons and repents from his heinous way of living would be forgiven, and provided with a means of livelihood which would not necessarily include any cash backing.

“From experience, it has been discovered that the repentant bandits, after collecting cash from the dialogue option, they will purchase more weapons and return to their old ways of banditry.”