At least 86 gunmen have laid down arms and renounced violence in Niger’s south-western Tahoua region. The region has been hit by armed gangs operating between Niger and northern Nigeria who carry out killings and kidnappings for ransom.
In ceremony to receive them in the town of Bangui, some of the alleged repentant kidnappers said they resorted to criminality because they had no jobs but later realized violence was not an option.
They have called on the government to provide more job opportunities. They were pardoned by the authorities following their surrender and are expected to be rehabilitated and given vocational skills.
This is one of President Mohammed Bazoum’s strategies to end the insecurity in Niger. Now as apart from increasing cases of kidnappings for ransom, Niger is also grappling with Boko Haram violence as well as other armed groups linked to the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda.
