The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged state governments to stop negotiating with bandits, warning that such engagements undermine military operations and pose serious risks to long-term security efforts.
Musa made the call during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he said negotiations often weaken the fight against insecurity, as armed groups frequently fail to honour agreements reached with authorities.
According to the minister, bandits “do not fear God” and often exploit reconciliation efforts to gain material benefits before returning to criminal activities.
He revealed that the Katsina State Government was cautioned over its recent decision to facilitate the release of 70 suspected bandits in custody, a move the state said was aimed at strengthening community-based peace agreements with so-called repentant bandits.
“Negotiation with bandits is not a way out. They are not sincere; whenever they come for reconciliation, they want something,” Musa said in Hausa.
Speaking specifically on Katsina State, the defence minister said federal authorities had warned against reconciling with bandits, stressing that such actions disrupt ongoing military operations and often embolden criminal groups.
Musa noted that although the military has raised concerns about the impact of negotiations on security operations, the democratic system limits the level of federal intervention in decisions taken by state governments.
He also dismissed claims that the federal government pays ransom to kidnappers, describing ransom payments as counterproductive and stressing that any such payments are made by individuals acting on their own.
