Scores of residents have been thrown into panic over the alleged release of the family members of a notorious bandit kingpin, Gwoska Dankarami, in Zamfara State.

It was gathered that the mother and foot soldiers of Dankarami were recently intercepted and detained by security operatives while returning from Hajj (pilgrimage), in one of the airports in the North West.

Security services were later said to have been directed to release Dankarami’s mother and his accomplices in exchange for some female students he had kept captives for months.

It was learnt that since the inauguration of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, security and intelligence officials have discreetly engaged top bandits in dialogue towards peace pacts and possible amnesty programmes.

According to a security source in the North-West, kidnapping for ransom by terrorists is on the rise, especially in Zamfara State.

READ ALSO: Bandits refuse to release abducted Zamfara community members after negotiation

“The bandits are now sophisticated using multimedia in producing audio-visual targeted at communities, families of kidnapped victims, and security agencies for ransom negotiations, together with the release of their arrested members and early warning of attacks.

“The technique was deployed in the production of a video on the plight of abducted female Students of Zamfara College of Arts and Sciences (ZACAS) Gusau.

“A widow and mother of one of the girls fainted and died suddenly after watching one of the traumatic scenes of her daughter in the video,” the source told PRNigeria.

It was further gathered that Dankarami’s gangs operate in Zurmi, Birnin Magaji, and Kaura axis, while another notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, operating from Shinkafi, has wider networks in other local governments and parts of Sokoto State.

Similarly, Ado Haliru operates in Chafe, Gusau, and part of Funtua in Katsina; Halilu Sububu’s boys dominate Zurmi and Maradun; Nasama Nasawari operates within Birnin Magaji, while Dan Saade operates mostly in Bungudu and kaura.

While military operations, especially airstrikes are sustained, the residents have however called for political will towards the eradication of banditry in the states.

The Star