From John Bassey, Gusau
The Zamfara State Government has returned more than 3,000 cows rustled by bandits to their rightful owners.
The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, confirmed the development in Gusau while receiving a committee assigned to manage recovered rustled animals and return them to their legitimate owners.
He said this was established by Governor Dauda Lawal about 15 months ago with 20-member headed by Sheikh Saidu Aliyu Maikwano.
“The committee has so far returned over 3,000 animals and remitted about N120 million into the coffers of the Zamfara State Zakat Board. The funds represent proceeds from the auction of overstayed animals, in line with established guidelines”.
In a meeting to strategize more effective and efficient ways of ensuring the success of the committee’s assignment, the SSG, who is the supervisor of the committee’s activities, emphasized the importance of their work in the government’s restitution efforts, which aim to foster community resilience and promote social justice.
He added that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal, is committed to providing the necessary support for the committee to function effectively.
Nakwada commended the security agencies represented on the committee for their relentless efforts in combating banditry and other criminal activities, noting that their tireless work is beginning to yield visible results.
In his remarks, the committee chairman, Sheikh Saidu Maikwano, acknowledged the SSG for his effective supervision and expressed appreciation to the state government for the support given to the committee in fulfilling its mandate.