The Federal Government has warned state governments against entering into any peace deal whatsoever with non state actors particularly terrorists and bandits.
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, who issued the warning during an interview with BBC Hausa Service, noted that the Federal Government has consistently advised governments at all levels not to negotiate with armed non-state actors.
The warning followed reports that some state governments, especially in the North-West geopolitical zone, have entered into so-called peace pacts with bandits who are ravaging communities, murdering locals, annexing areas, and imposing illegal taxes and levies on the hapless populace.
The Federal Government through the Minister of Defence, General Musa (retd), described such unfruitful peace deals as dangerous, counter-productive, and a threat to national security.
The defence minister pointedly said that bandits cannot be trusted to honour any agreement, stressing that such negotiations only embolden criminal networks, weaken military operations, and prolong insecurity.
In his words; “The Federal Government’s position is clear. There would be no negotiated settlements, no ransom payments, and no legitimisation of armed groups terrorising communities”.
Some of the bandits usually take total control of some of the communities.
For instance, in one of the affected states, Katsina State Government in particular, recently initiated the process for the release of about 70 suspected and convicted bandits in exchange for ‘peace’ in the state.
Similarly, in the North-West, several Local Governments Areas and communities routinely enter into one form of ‘peace deals’ or the other with armed militias that usually included concessions such as healthcare, markets or access to farmland in exchange for cessation of attacks.
Unfortunately, most of the peace deals do not stand the test of time as the armed bandits most of the times, renege on the agreements and carry out attacks on the populace.
The minister of Defence therefore urged State governors to align with federal security strategy, emphasising that sustained military pressure, intelligence-led operations, and community cooperation remain the only viable paths to restoring peace.
Musa also appealed to the citizens to stop aiding bandits with food, money, or information, stressing that such support fuels violence and delays national stability.
