*Demands urgent clarifications
*Says action at a variance with state adopted plans against criminal groups
By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau
Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, has called for an urgent and comprehensive investigation by the Federal Government into the secret negotiations held with bandits in the state.
Reports indicated that a delegation allegedly sent by some agencies of the Federal Government has been holding talks with bandit groups in Zamfara without the knowledge of the state government.
The state governor, in a statement by his spokesperson Sulaiman Bala Idris, lamented the action wondering that Federal agencies would come down to Zamfara and engage in any form of negotiations with bandits without recourse to the state authorities including security agencies in the place.
According to the statement, Governor Lawal also called on the Federal Government to clarify the action of the Federal agencies, which is said to be clearly at variance with the Zamfara State Government’s adoption of a kinetic strategy in the fight against banditry.
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, Mun haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege.
“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.”
