Zamfara: If three bandits surrender 30 AK-47 rifles, 2 rocket launchers, how many arms are in Nigeria’s forests?

Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle gladly received weapons and ammunition surrendered by three repentant bandits, but the sheer volume from just three has thrown up a scary spectre: what is the volume of assault weapons are in Nigeria’s forests?

Matawalle struck his peace deal with the three bandits, led by Muhammed Sani Zakwi, the son of late notorious bandit Buharin Daji (loosely translated the Buhari of the forest). He was mauled down either by security agents or a competitor.

At least 30 AK-47 rifles, 2 GPRP rifles, rocket launchers and a large cache of ammunition were surrendered by Zakwi.

Amid controversy over whether bandits should be reined in by placation through negotiation, Matawalle was welcoming the bandits in the Government House in Gusau, the state capital, hopeful banditry would soon end in his domain.

He was optimistic that his government’s option of reconciliation and dialogue was a better option for the country.

“We are doing this dialogue God in his infinite mercy is giving us success everyday. Anybody witnessing these boys surrendering these weapons today will now understand and agree with the Government on the peace accord with these guys.

“Of course these catches of ammunition have been in the Bush for long upon all the engagements with our security agencies, we are still having this kind of sophisticated weapons in the hands of the bandits.”

Zakwi, later swore with the holy Qur’an not to return to banditry and the likes.