Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has reaffirmed his administration’s firm stance against negotiating with bandits, insisting that his government’s aggressive security strategy has significantly weakened criminal elements in the state.
Lawal, through his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, clarified in a statement on Tuesday that recent reports misrepresented his remarks during a BBC Hausa interview, falsely suggesting a shift in his position on the issue.
The statement read: “The banditry issue has been a significant concern for people across Zamfara State, the Northwest, and the entire country for decades.
“This is why Governor Dauda Lawal, in his campaign manifesto before the 2023 general election, pledged to make security his top priority and implement concrete measures to tackle the menace.
“Governor Lawal has remained consistent in his stance that negotiating with bandits is nothing but a ‘snipe hunt.’ From the beginning, his administration has maintained that no responsible government should engage in dialogue with criminals from a position of weakness. Negotiations should only happen from a position of strength.
“The governor has repeatedly stated in various media interviews that the Zamfara State Government will not negotiate with the bandits terrorizing the state.
“Governor Lawal’s BBC Hausa interview aligns with his long-standing position: any potential dialogue with bandits must come on the condition that they surrender their weapons and repent unconditionally.
“The strategy we have adopted in fighting banditry is yielding positive results, with many volatile areas of the state experiencing a return to peace. Today, the dominant narrative from Zamfara is one of success, as security forces continue to eliminate hundreds of bandits daily.”