The Zamfara State Government has firmly stated that it will not negotiate with bandits to restore peace in the state.
This was made known in a statement on Tuesday by Governor Dauda Lawal’s aide, Sulaiman Bala Idris. He said the governor was misquoted in an interview he granted to BBC Hausa over the weekend.
“The banditry issue has been a significant concern for people across Zamfara State, Northwest, and the entire country for decades,” Idris said.
He accused some media platforms of misinterpreting the interview to mislead the public about the government’s stand on the matter.
“This is one reason Governor Dauda Lawal stated in his campaign manifesto before the 2023 general election that security would be his top priority, pledging to implement measures to address the situation,” Idris added.
He stressed that the governor has kept his promise, making security a major focus of his administration.
“Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration has prioritized the security of Zamfara State, and it has taken a clear stance from the beginning that negotiating with bandits is nothing but a ‘snipe hunt.’”
According to him, Governor Lawal has repeatedly made it clear that the government will not negotiate with criminals terrorizing the state.
“It should be made clear and on record that Governor Dauda Lawal’s position remains undisputed: no responsible government will negotiate with killers from a position of weakness. Negotiations should only occur from a position of strength,” he said.
Idris explained that if there is ever a chance for talks, the bandits must first surrender their weapons and repent without any conditions.
“The governor’s position is consistent and not contradictory. He has maintained from the outset that if there is any opportunity for negotiation, the bandits must surrender their weapons and repent without any conditions or terms attached,” he said.
Idris also noted that the government’s current strategy to tackle banditry is yielding positive results.
“The strategy we are implementing to combat banditry is producing remarkable results, as many volatile areas of the state are experiencing a return to peace. All that resonates from Zamfara is the success narrative of leaders and hundreds of bandits eliminated daily,” he added.
