The Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has reportedly said that they are now realizing the price for peace talks in the state following the release of 26 Katsina State girls, all of whom are minors, oyogist.com reports.
The girls were released to the Zamfara state government without ransom, according to the governor’s spokesperson, Zailani Baffa.
The girls were abducted from Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and brought to a desert in Zamfara State.
Within an hour, the Zamfara government was able to locate and rescue them through a joint operation with the militants, led by the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Dauran.
The commissioner represented Governor Matawalle in peace talks with the militants in an effort to ensure security and peace in the state.
Governor Matawalle, who received the rescued girls, said his government would not abandon talks to maintain peace.
He added that the use of force alone would not end the problem of gunmen in the state.
He said: “This is our view of reconciliation with the militants in peace talks for the sake of peace in Zamfara State.”
The governor has ordered the repatriation of Katsina State girls. The girls’ rescue has increased the number of girls and people rescued to more than forty since last week.
