Talking tough, Defence Minister, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has warned state governments to steer clear of any proposed peace deal with bandits.
He handed down the warning in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, pointing out that the Federal Government (FG) has consistently advised governments at all levels not to negotiate with armed non-state groups.
The warning is coming at a time some state governments, especially in the North-West geopolitical zone, have so-called peace pacts with bandits who ravage communities, murder large numbers of locals, annex whole areas, impose illegal taxes and levies on the hapless populace and take control of the said communities.
For instance, the Katsina State Government recently allegedly initiated the process for the release of about 70 suspected and convicted bandits in exchange for ‘peace’.
In the North-West, several Local Governments (LGs) and communities routinely enter into various forms of informal or formal ‘peace pacts’ with heavily armed militias, often involving concessions like healthcare/market or farmland access, for cessation of attacks.
The deals, which often fail to stand the test of time as bloodletting by the bandits still subsists, have been met with public outcry from groups like the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), who argue that entering into such pacts or even releasing suspects in a so-called peace swap, undermine justice.
Describing such arrangements as dangerous, counter-productive, and a threat to national security, the Defence Minister stressed that bandits cannot be trusted to honour any agreement.
According to him, negotiations only embolden criminal networks, weaken military operations, and prolong insecurity.
He said: “The Federal Government’s position is clear: There would be no negotiated settlements, no ransom payments, and no legitimisation of armed groups terrorising communities.”
He rallied State governors to align with federal security strategy, explaining that sustained military pressure, intelligence-led operations, and community cooperation remain the only viable paths to restoring peace.
Turning to the citizenry, the Minister appealed to them to stop aiding bandits with food, money, or information, warning that such support fuels violence and delays national stability.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gen. Musa.
