Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has demanded detailed clarification from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government over alleged secret negotiation meetings with different bandit groups at different locations in Zamfara State without involving the state government.
Lawal said this on Monday, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
He lamented that the action of some Federal Government agencies engaged in negotiations with bandits without the knowledge of the state government and other security agencies is at variance with the position of his government to use kinetic approach against the criminals.
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, Munhaye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagega.
“Previous administrations in the State failed to achieve positive outcomes in their attempts to engage in dialogue with bandits. We must learn from these past mistakes and adopt a new approach to restore peace in Zamfara.
“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.”
