The Christian Association of Nigeria has warned the Federal Government against negotiating with bandits and terrorists or granting them amnesty.

CAN Secretary for the North-West Zone, Sunday Oibe, said that if the government cannot combat terrorism, it should seek external assistance.

Oibe’s remarks come in response to allegations that some federal government officials have negotiated with bandits in Zamfara State.

He said that the government should stop playing games and take decisive action against the enemies of the state.

“It’s shameful and disgusting for the Nigerian state to keep doing this to us as a people. We have been hearing the expression, ‘unknown gunmen’ did this and that over and over again. Suddenly, the unknown gunmen are now known to the point that the federal might is even allowing some of its officials to enter into negotiation with the bandits.

“As long as we keep living in denial, this problem shall remain unsolved. There’s nothing like bandits or unknown gunmen. This is an organised crime against the rest of us that are helpless. The successive governments know them, hire them, empower them and are using them against the rest of us,” Oibe said