From Mathew Jwantu, Minna.
Niger state governor Alhaji Sani Bello has said the state has sign a peace deal with bandits who were in recent time, terrorising some parts of the state.
Governor Bello made the submission Saturday, while addressing the theme for this year’s international Day of Peace which is “climate change for peace”. At the occasion of the 2nd General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar Foundation annual lecture held at Justice Idris Kutugi International conference centre.
While presenting the eleven representatives of the 27 bandits at the occasion, Governor Bello said they have been terrorising kontonkoro Pandogari along Meriga Local government.
He explained that since the beginning of the peace deal the state had been relatively calm as the bandits promised to call their members to Swift their swords.
Part of the deal according to him, was for government to grant the bandits amnesty and release their members in detention.
On his part, Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsami A. Abubakar said for Nigeria to attain to lasting peace, all youths must embrace the virtues of tolerance, fairness, respect for human dignity and avoid vices that disrupt sustainable Peace and development.
The impact of Climate change according to him, has led to soil erosion, environmental degradation, dwindling water resources, natural disasters amongst others.
“These have contributed further in exacerbating existing conflicts due to competition for scarce resources. We therefore need to adopt sustainable practice in the way that we use our resources for the common good for all”.
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