Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has insisted that his administration would not engage in negotiations with bandits.
He maintained that military action remainrf the government’s primary strategy in tackling insecurity.
Lawal in a statement issued Tuesday by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, clarified that reports suggesting otherwise were a misinterpretation of the governor’s recent interview with BBC Hausa Service.
The governor added that some media platforms mischievously translated the interview in an attempt to mislead the public about the Zamfara State Government’s security approach.
He said: “The issue of banditry has been a major concern for the people of Zamfara, the Northwest, and the entire country for decades.
“Governor Lawal made security his top priority even before the 2023 elections, and he has remained steadfast in his resolve not to negotiate with criminals.
“Any form of negotiation can only happen from a position of strength, with bandits unconditionally surrendering their weapons and repenting.”
Lawal reiterated that his administration is committed to an all-out offensive against bandits, a strategy that has led to significant progress in restoring peace to volatile areas.
He said no responsible government would negotiate with criminals from a position of weakness.
“Our position remains clear and undisputed: we will not negotiate with killers. The strategy we are implementing to combat banditry is yielding results, with reports of improved security and the elimination of numerous bandits,” Lawal noted.