Repentant bandits in Nigeria’s north-western state of Zamfara are reportedly being offered two cows for every AK-47 they surrender, BBC reports.
They say this is an attempt to encourage them to give up a life of crime and live a normal life as responsible citizens, according to Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle.
Motorcycle-riding armed bandits operating out of abandoned forest reserves are ransacking communities in Zamfara and nearby Katsina and Sokoto states.
They often loot shops, steal cattle and grain, and take people hostage for ransom.
In a recent attack in Zamfara state, 21 people were killed in Talata Mafara town by armed bandits.
Most people are into agriculture in Zamfara state, where the motto is “farming is our pride”.
The average cow in northern Nigeria costs about 100,000 naira ($260; £200) while an AK-47 on the black market could cost as much as 500,000 naira ($1,200; £950)
“These bandits who choose to repent initially sold their cows to buy guns and now that they want a life free of criminality we are asking them to bring us an AK-47 and get two cows in return, this will empower and encourage them,” Mr Matawalle said in a statement.
The governor also promised to disband the camps in the forests where the gunmen are based.
