The Plateau State Government on Monday said bandits terrorising communities in the Wase Local Government Area of the state have surrendered a significant number of AK47 rifles to the state government.
The Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Security and Commander Operation Rainbow, Bridger General Gakji Shippi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Jos, the state capital.
Shippi explained that the surrender of weapons followed extensive negotiations between the government and the bandits.
He said in addition to the AK47 rifles, various other categories of weapons were also surrendered by the bandits, demonstrating a commitment to peace through disarmament.
He clarified that the bandits did not directly surrender the guns due to fear but rather did so through an intermediary involved in the negotiations.
"Alongside the surrendered weapons, other arms were recovered and rendered inoperative," he said.
Shippi noted that efforts are ongoing to encourage more bandits to surrender their weapons voluntarily, and steps are being taken to recover additional firearms from other groups to reduce attacks in Wase Local Government Area.
