Insecurity: FG in secret talks with bandits —Zamfara gov alleges
The country’s fight against insecurity took a dramatic turn Wednesday when Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal accused some Federal Government agencies of secret negotiations with criminals.
Lawal charged the Federal Government with clarifying the situation, claiming that sources indicated that a delegation reportedly sent by various federal government agencies had been holding discussions with bandit groups in Zamfara without his knowledge.
Efforts to get the federal government to speak on the matter, yesterday, did not yield dividends, as a presidency source said the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, was in a better position to speak on the issue.
The minister had yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.
Governor Lawal, on the other hand, has demanded that the federal government conduct an urgent and comprehensive inquiry into the ongoing secret conversations with bandits in Zamfara State.
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Governor Lawal condemned the activity of some federal government agencies engaging in negotiations with bandits without recourse to the state government and other security authorities in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
According to the statement, Governor Lawal has also asked the federal government to clarify the actions of these federal agencies, which are plainly at odds with the state government’s use of a kinetic strategy in the battle against banditry.
The statement read: “Governor Dauda Lawal wishes to call on the federal government to clarify and investigate the actions of some unscrupulous elements sabotaging the ongoing fight against banditry in Zamfara.
“The Zamfara State government has received reports of how some federal government delegation met with different bandit groups in Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun haye, Ajjah, Bawo, and Bagega.
“Previous administrations in the state failed to achieve positive outcomes in their attempts to engage in dialogue with bandits.
“The Zamfara State government has taken a firm stance from the beginning – we will not negotiate with these criminals.
“Ensuring the fight against banditry is a top priority of Zamfara State government, and we cannot afford to make any compromises in our efforts.
‘’We urge the federal government to take swift action by terminating the ongoing negotiations with the bandits in Zamfara, as it undermines progress so far.”
