Zamfara State government said it has rescued 53 persons who were kidnapped last Friday in Damaji, Yarkatsina, Doka, Kwaftari Fandahaki and Maje communities of Bungudu Local Government Area of the State.

Addressing newsmen in his office in Gusau, the Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Dauran said that no ransom was paid by the state government, pointing out that the repentant bandits assisted the government and the security agencies to rescue them.

“The state government has recovered 203 sophisticated firearms, 2566 live ammunition, 64 magazines and two handcuffs and 887 fabricated Dane guns,” he added.

The commissioner urged the unrepentant bandits to surrender their arms and ammunition to pave way for peace in the state.

“Peace is very vital in every society because the government would sit down to deliver the needed dividends of democracy.”

He appealed to the public to assist the government and the security agencies in the state by giving them vital information that can lead to ending banditry in the state.

According to him, the state government was working round the clock to reposition the state security, saying that it would continue to use the repentant bandits to achieve their goal.